Council issuing grants of up to £25,000 to businesses who have been struggling

A SUPPORT package of £1.65m is being shared by 185 Charnwood businesses struggling because of the pandemic.

Charnwood Borough Council is issuing government grants of up to £25,000 to businesses that successfully applied to the discretionary grant fund.

Coun Tom Barkley, deputy leader of the council and lead member for finance and property services, said: “The pandemic has been devastating for the local economy and has severely impacted many businesses so we are delighted to be able to issue the funding.

“The limited funding available has meant that some businesses will be disappointed, but we have worked to issue grants to as many organisations as possible to support the borough’s economy.

“We will continue to do all we can to help as many businesses impacted by the pandemic as possible.”

The business discretionary grant scheme launched on 3 June for small businesses able to demonstrate significant financial difficulties because of Covid-19. Applications were accepted up to 22 June.

The council is now contacting all applicants to confirm if they have been successful. Payments will be made today and should reach business bank accounts within the week.

The Government provided an initial set of criteria with the fund open to charities, businesses in shared business spaces and market traders.

The council also had discretion about which businesses could be funded and produced criteria to fund those supporting employment in Charnwood, delivering health, welfare or community support services or with relatively high on-going fixed property costs.

All applications have been assessed and scored against the eligibility criteria.

• More information and further support available for businesses across the borough is available at www.charnwood. gov.uk/cbs