A joint statement from Cllr Miles Parkinson, Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Marlene Haworth, Leader of the Opposition and Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden

WE are pleased to announce that payments of up to £10,000 are now being made under the Local Business Discretionary Grants Fund to Hyndburn Businesses.

One hundred and sixty applications were made and funding has been prioritised for businesses who were not eligible for the recent Small Business Grant Fund or Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund.

This funding, which supports small and micro businesses, has been provided by the Government and is being administered by Hyndburn Borough Council.

This boost for our local economy has been welcomed and will help our high streets to continue reopening.

We are united in our efforts to help Hyndburn through this difficult time and are urging people to shop locally, to spend their money in our towns and play their part in supporting Hyndburn.

Many people will be venturing onto our high streets for the first time in many weeks, please be considerate at all times and observe social distancing.

Wearing a face covering is also encouraged when in enclosed public spaces and is mandatory on public transport, this is to protect yourself and others.

On July 6 the guidance for those who are shielding changed, we are pleased to say this is because the transmission of Covid-19 within the community has gone down.

Those shielding no longer need to socially distance from people they live with and a ‘support bubble’ can be formed with one other household. Further guidance and information about shielding and support bubbles can be found on gov.uk.

Government food boxes and medicine delivery for those shielding is still available if needed until July 31.

The Hyndburn Hub also remains open and active for those who need urgent support. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you, or someone you know, is suffering and let others know help is available.

Providing essential and urgent support, the Hyndburn Hub can be contacted 7-days a week.

To help the team get back to you as quickly as possible please email in the first instance: enquiries@ hyndburnbc.gov.uk visit Hyndburn Council’s website, or call: 01254 388 111

You can also contact Sara Britcliffe, MP directly with any questions or concerns via: sara.britcliffe.mp@parliament.uk Constituency office: 14 Broadway, Accrington, BB5 1HZ Telephone: 07933 725657

Westminster office: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

Telephone: 0270 219 3000 Twitter: @SarBritcliffe MP Facebook: fb.com/saraalice britcliffe

The #ThinkHyndburn campaign has been welcomed to Hyndburn and made possible through the ‘Reopening High

Streets Safely Fund’, awarded by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and The Regional Development Fund. It will allow the #ThinkHyndburn initiative to continue over the coming months, encouraging shoppers back to the Highstreet and helping businesses to reopen.