Partnership creates £2m recovery fund for flood hit businesses

AROUND 600 small and medium sized Calderdale businesses in Calderdale which suffered flooding by Storm Ciara will be eligible for some grants released by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership into a £2 million recovery fund.

Emergency grants of up to £2,500 are available to help businesses cover short term costs such as replacing critical equipment, dehumidifying their premises and carrying out urgent repairs so they can get back on their feet quickly, says the LEP. For businesses which have been hit harder, larger grants of up are available to help refurbish damaged premises and replace larger equipment such as machinery.

LEP chairman Roger Marsh (pictured) - also Chair of The Piece Hall Trust - said: “It’s devastating to see the scale of damage in Calderdale and I can only imagine how heart-breaking it must be for those business owners and employees who have been affected. “SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy and it’s vital that we work with our partners to help get the community back on its feet and open for business as soon as possible.”

Leader of Calderdale Council and Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Coun Tim Swift (Lab, Town) said: “I really welcome this initial injection of funding from the Leeds City Region, which recognises the unique scale of the challenges we face.” Businesses looking for more information about the grants should e-mail business@calderdale.gov.uk for further information.