County kennels struggling after missing out on support grants

A SMALL family business is struggling to keep going amid the effects of the pandemic as it keeps missing out on government grants.

Brookland Boarding Kennels and Cattery in Loughborough has applied for different support funding in recent months, only to be told it is not eligible, while it continues to have very few bookings.

The business received the initial £10,000 grant at the start of the first coronavirus lockdown, which paid for some of its costs until the end of last year.

But with few bookings so far in 2021 and only a few provisional customers in the coming months, owner Maria Chalk, 72, has gone heavily into debt and is struggling to pay her mortgage.

She filled in the paperwork for the Local Restriction Support Grant, as well as the Restart Grant, which launched at the start of April, only to be turned down for both grants. She said: “I didn’t bring this virus or the government lockdown, that was their decision.

“They said they would help all the small businesses but now I’m just not getting any help.

“I’m not asking for millions. “People booked in have had to say they might have to cancel, because their holidays might be cancelled.”

Ms Chalk previously ran a dog grooming service but she had to give this up as she gets cramp in her hands.

A spokeswoman for Charnwood Borough Council said: “We understand it’s been a very difficult time for businesses and have worked hard to deliver the funding issued by government for business grants as quickly as possible.

“The government sets the guidance on which types of businesses qualify for the grants and we are following that guidance. “Kennels and dog grooming businesses were not forced to close under previous restrictions which means this type of business would not have been eligible for the Local Restriction Support Grant or the new Restart Grant.

“We have recently opened a new discretionary grant scheme which these types of businesses could be eligible for, however, the business owner will need to submit an application. We would encourage Ms Chalk to submit an application to the new discretionary scheme and would be happy to assist with her application directly.”

They said they would help all the small businesses but now I’m just not getting any help

Maria Chalk