AROUND 400 small businesses and charities across Leicester who are eligible for Government grants of £10,000 to £25,000 have still not claimed the financial help.
Leicester City Council has paid out grants totalling nearly £65million to 5,624 businesses under the Government’s Small Business Grants Fund, and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund scheme.
While about 89 per cent of eligible businesses have claimed the grants, up to 400 have still not done so, and the city council is reminding those to make a claim before it is too late.
The grants, which do not have to be repaid, are designed to help firms whose income has suffered during the coronavirus lockdown.
Businesses, charities and other organisations which benefit from small business rate relief are entitled to receive a non-repayable £10,000 grant. Businesses in larger premises and charities may be entitled to a non-repayable retail, hospitality and leisure grant of £10,000 or £25,000.
These ratepayers are being encouraged to visit the city council’s website to check their eligibility and submit their claim.
Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “The response to the small business grant funding has been very good, and has provided much-needed financial support for a great many businesses across the city.
“However, there are still as many as 400 businesses which appear on our records which have not the money to which they are entitled. It may be that some of these are no longer trading, or have decided not to claim, but I’d urge anyone who hasn’t claimed yet to do so while the help is still on offer.
“This is money which the Government has made available to help businesses affected by coronavirus, and it would be good to see it put to good use to help struggling local firms.”
Earlier this week a second pot of funding was announced for some businesses and charities which are not eligible for the Small Business Grants Fund, or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund.
Under the new Discretionary Business Grants scheme, £3.5million has been made available to help businesses in Leicester. Most grants will be for £7,000 to £10,000, depending on the type of business. Market traders can receive up to £2,000. The deadline for the first round of applications under the Discretionary Business Grant scheme is June 22.
Details of all business grant schemes are available here.
Additional information on advice and support for businesses is available on the website of the Business Gateway Growth Hub – a support network for businesses in the city, run by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).
The pages bring together the most relevant national Government information with the guidance and advice of various teams working across the city centre and beyond, focusing on retail, hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, service and other sectors.
Leicester City Council is working with the LLEP – an organisation involving the city, county and district councils and local business leaders – to coordinate a citywide information service and has a steadily-growing team of advisers already liaising with businesses, who can all be accessed via the Business Gateway Growth Hub.
The LLEP has made a wide range of help and advice available online, and has been working with small local businesses concerned about their future.
Up-to-date information on help for businesses is available at: www.bizgateway.org.uk
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