Council distribute millions to firms

DISTRICT and borough councils in Leicestershire have distributed over £119m of vital government coronavirus funding to thousands of local businesses in the county.

Since early April, officers at Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, Melton, North West Leicestershire and Oadby and Wigston district and borough councils have been working hard to ensure the funding reaches eligible businesses as quickly and as securely as possible.

In total, they have awarded two types of grants to more than 10,000 businesses in the county. The grants are for those directly impacted from the hospitality, leisure and retail industry, and another for those that already receive business rate discounts.

The councils have also recently just begun distributing grants under discretionary schemes so even more funding is reaching local businesses.

On behalf of all the councils, Coun Jonathan Morgan, leader of Charnwood Borough Council, said: “All the districts and boroughs have worked hard to distribute vital funding during these difficult times.

“These grants have bought much needed time for businesses who have faced increasing pressures and the real possibility of having to close their doors for good. The feedback from the business community has been positive, with many touching comments left with the distributing teams.

“However, all the councils are aware that local economies cannot simply bounce back without support.”