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» FOOD and drink businesses in Cheltenham have been given new hope amid the current climate.

Businesses within the sector in the town will have access to grants of up to £25,000 after Cheltenham Borough Council was awarded £1.1million by the Government as part of the new Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund.

After Cheltenham BID made “direct representations on the campaign” to Cheltenham Borough Council, the council decided that as well as following government advice on prioritising businesses in four new areas – shared offices, market traders, bed and breakfasts and charity properties – it will also make some of the money available to food and drink businesses.

Kevan Blackadder, director of Cheltenham BID, said: “If there had been an unlimited pot of money available, we would have wanted all the businesses missing out across a number of sectors – as many as 149 in Cheltenham – to benefit.

“But we agreed with the council that priority should be given to the independent pubs and clubs who will be among the last businesses to be allowed to open by the Government. This money could make the difference to them being able to reopen and not.”

The funding means that Cheltenham businesses will be eligible for grants of up to £25,000.

Funding for this grant scheme is limited and therefore businesses need to submit online applications during a short period which started on Tuesday and runs until Sunday, June 21.

The maximum grant that can be awarded in the local scheme is £25,000. The next level is £10,000 and then any amount under £10,000.

The same policy has been agreed by three other Gloucestershire councils that Cheltenham has been working with – Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Stroud – and businesses can apply and access the full criteria on their own council’s website.

The authorities’ chief finance officers agreed: “We want to ensure a consistent approach for businesses across our region so that they have clarity and certainty that this money will go to where it is needed most, in line with the guidance provided to us.

“We have limited funds for this scheme so the application window will be limited to a two-week period.”

The news comes after Cheltenham BID backed the nationwide #Raisethebar campaign asking for the Government to expand the rateable value threshold for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in order for more businesses to have access to a government grant.