Grant scheme paused after a huge response
A CORONAVIRUS recovery grant scheme has been paused after more than 600 Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire businesses expressed interest.
The Stoke-on-trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub, which is distributing the grants, said hundreds of applications have been received by SMES since the scheme launched on September 3.
Growth Hub manager Nicola Kent said: “We have received an overwhelming amount of expression of interest applications.
“To ensure the correct distribution of the funds, we took the decision to put the schemes on hold on September 15, whilst we assess these.
“We’d like to thank the businesses who have expressed their interest. “We have been thrilled with the amazing volume of responses and we are proud to be overseeing the schemes.
“We anticipate these funds will help around 250 Stokeon-trent and Staffordshire SMES. If there are funds remaining after this process, then we will reopen the schemes and notify businesses through our marketing channels and our newsletter.”
The Growth Hub launched two funds – from a total pot of £872,000 from the European Regional Development Fund – to provide grants up to £3,000. Funding was split between the SME Restart Programme and Kickstarting Tourism grant schemes. Sectors which have expressed their interest include telecommunications and engineering to marketing and design Nicola added: “I would urge businesses to contact the Growth Hub because even if they can no longer apply to this grant scheme, there may be other funding or advice services which they are eligible for.”
The grants are being distributed on a first come, first served basis.