Over the past few weeks my office has been helping eligible businesses right across the constituency to access the government's small business grant scheme.
Whilst we have been able to help most businesses with the general support measures, there were some with special circumstances that didn't meet the criteria but still needed our help. So I am glad to share news that the government has now made that help available with a new £617m business grant 'top-up' fund aimed at helping businesses that don't meet the general criteria.
This additional fund is aimed at helping small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs. We have asked the local authority to prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates. We have also given the local authority the autonomy to make payments to other businesses they feel should be included based on local economic need.
The allocation of this government funding will be at the discretion of the local authority but we will be happy to assist and advise anyone who would like support in making their claim.
