Further funding for affected businesses

BUSINESSES, social enterprises, charities and associated supply chain businesses in Bridgend county borough that have experienced a material negative impact as a result of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions are now able to apply for further funding.

The Welsh Government is making the package of business support available through the Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).

The grant is open to applications from Monday, July 26, and will remain open for a period of two weeks. It is open to businesses in Bridgend county borough with a turnover of less than £85,000, and is being administered by Bridgend council.

The ERF will provide support in the form of cash grants of up to £10,000 for eligible businesses to help meet operating costs (excluding staff wages) for the period July 1, 2021 to August 30, 2021.

Specifically, the ERF will support businesses that are either:

■ Category a) - Forced to remain closed or unable to trade by ongoing restrictions between 1 July 2021 and 31 August 2021

■ Category b) - Exclusive event space and attractions severely impacted by ongoing social distancing regulations

■ Category c) - Other businesses with a reduced turnover of 60 per cent or more as a direct result of ongoing restrictions since 1 May and were unable to open indoors before the 17 May 2021

■ Category d) - A supply chain business that generates 60 per cent or more of its sales revenue from businesses falling into categories a), b) and/or c) and have experienced a material negative impact through reduced turnover of 60% or more in July and August 2021 as compared to July and August 2019 caused directly by ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

To find out more or to apply, visit Bridgend council’s business funding webpages.

Bridgend council leader Huw David said: “We encourage all eligible businesses to apply as soon as possible via the local authority website. It is important to note there are no automatic payments taking place for businesses within this fund.

“Applications are open for two weeks only – as always, we will be working as quickly as possible to ensure applications are processed as they come in.”

A separate application process is being run directly by Welsh Government for businesses with a turnover greater than £85,000 but that closed at noon on July 27.

Turnover levels should be for a normal trading year or an estimate if the business started post March 2020.