Businesses hit by lockdown can get grant

BUSINESSES in Tewkesbury affected by the coronavirus lockdown could benefit from new grants.

Tewkesbury Borough Council is extending its financial assistance to more local firms with the introduction of a new additional restrictions grant scheme.

The grant is available for businesses impacted by Covid-19 restrictions but who do not qualify for the main restart grant which is already up and running.

The new scheme is aimed at businesses that provide an in-person service which will be adversely affected even when they are permitted to reopen.

For example, in cases where having to carry out extra cleaning results in reduced client numbers, or the purchase of cleaning products and personal protective equipment increases their outgoings significantly.

It is also aimed at those which supply affected businesses within the hospitality, personal care, leisure, or events sectors.

The council has started inviting applications and the closing date is May 16.

It will start making payments after this deadline and hopes to make all payments by May 26.

Council finance and asset management head Simon Dix said: “The council is delighted and relieved that Covid19 restrictions are slowly being lifted, but we are aware that some businesses will still struggle to operate at full capacity whilst continuing with the necessary Covid-19 safety measures and practices.

“The additional restrictions grant will hopefully provide financial assistance in a lot of these cases, who would not have met the criteria for the earlier restart grant.

“I would urge all business owners in this situation to check the eligibility criteria and we will happily consider all applications.”