PAYING OUT BUSINESS GRANTS

The roll-out of the latest support grants is continuing, with nearly £680,000 in total so far paid out to more than 500 businesses in Erewash hit by the financial impact of the pandemic. The council is working flat-out to process applications and get the money into the bank accounts of businesses as quickly as possible. This week Councillor Wayne Major, Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, sent a message to the local business community:

“We know some businesses have found it frustrating having to wait for their grants, but I can assure everyone that we are working as quickly as we can to issue this support – which we know is much needed by our small businesses. At the end of the day, this funding is taxpayers’ money and it is our duty and our responsibility to ensure all applications are properly checked and approved. The good news is the money is being rolled out and I would continue to urge eligible businesses to apply for support. We are here to help.”

 Since the start of the pandemic in March, nearly £21m of support in total has been awarded to businesses in the borough and a further £1m in discretionary grants to small businesses not eligible for other support – with that total now increasing daily as the council pays out the latest government-funded grants. The latest grants cover businesses affected by the recent national lockdown that ended on the 2 December and those that had to close or remained open but suffered serious financial impact under Tier 2 and Tier 3 restrictions. In addition, applications have opened giving businesses that do not pay business rates the opportunity to apply for an Additional Restrictions Grant. This is aimed at micro and small businesses in Erewash that have not previously been eligible for COVID-19 support. Details of all the grants available can be found at www.erewash.gov.uk and businesses are advised to register for a My Erewash business account at the website where full details of the grants’ criteria and online application forms are available.