Reminders have been issued to local businesses that grant funding is available to support them if they’ve been forced to close during the second national lockdown.
In the first week, nearly 900 businesses have already applied, but the fund is only open until 2 December, and businesses are being urged to get their applications in.
Businesses in North East Lincolnshire that have had to close for the period 5 November to 2 December 2020, and supply chain businesses that have been severely affected by the lockdown can apply for the funding.
Following an announcement by the Prime Minister, all non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure and entertainment venues, and personal care facilities were forced to close from 5 November to 2 December 2020 as coronavirus cases climbed.
In response to this, the Government is providing eligible businesses with financial help through the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) and Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) schemes aimed at alleviating the financial pressure on businesses who are unable to trade normally.
Ratepaying business in the retail, hospitality and indoor leisure sectors who have been forced to close due to these restrictions will be eligible to claim grants of up to £3,000 for the 28-day period to 2 December.
In addition, the Council is making available discretionary grants of up to £2,100 for businesses in this sector who are not in the rating system, or are supply chain businesses who have been severely affected due to their business customers being closed.
Businesses will need to complete an application form to claim for each eligible business premises. To find out more about the grant funding and to complete an application form, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Local businesses are also being encouraged to take part in the LoyaltoLocal campaign to promote local business diversification into online and click-and-collect shopping. It is hoped that this will make it easier for businesses to survive and reopen when restrictions are lifted.
The application form, which is available from the Council’s website: www.nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus under the Information for businesses link, where a list of the businesses required to close and grant eligibility guidance is also available.
Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This pandemic has affected all businesses and sectors in some way, and it’s important that support is made available to help our business community bounce back when restrictions are lifted.
“The grant funding being made available today really is a lifeline to many businesses in our patch that are struggling because of COVID-19 and have been forced to close.
“We are also offering businesses a suite of support so that those that are able to remain open can operate safely and can adapt to sell their products online or through click-and-collect. I would urge businesses to take up these offers of support and pull together so we can get through these difficult times.”
To find out more about LoyaltoLocal, email [email protected] or get involved on Facebook and Instagram at @LoyalToLocalNEL.
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