Businesses get £2m in financial assistance

BUSINESSES in Bridgend county borough have received almost £2m in financial assistance over the last three weeks as part of Welsh Government’s Lockdown Business Fund.

The fund involves a number of grants for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses, certain not for profit organisations and certain businesses in other sectors.

Aimed at helping businesses that have faced operational and financial challenges caused by the recent lockdown restrictions, the fund includes the Lockdown Non Domestic Grant and the Lockdown Discretionary Grant.

To date, Bridgend County Borough Council has processed and issued 472 Lockdown Non Domestic Grants totalling £1.45 million to local businesses.

Meanwhile, around 250 payments have been made to local businesses who have applied for the Lockdown Discretionary Grant, totalling almost £450,000.

Council leader Huw David said: “These funds were introduced by Welsh Government to help businesses with loss of income during the firebreak lockdown imposed to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

“We would urge any business which is eligible and has yet to apply for funding to ensure they do so as quickly as possible – applications are being dealt with on a first come, first served basis which may lead to applications not being appraised after they have been submitted if the fund is fully committed.”

Businesses in receipt of the Lockdown Discretionary Grant are ineligible for the Lockdown Non Domestic Grant.

To apply for any of these grants or for more details on the grants available as part of this new fund visit the Bridgend County Borough Council business support webpage at www. bridgend.gov.uk.