Local businesses in Tendring impacted by the current national lockdown arrangements need to apply now to receive their share of funding support.
The financial help from central government aims to support local firms through the period of national measures, and the period in which Essex was in Tier 2 of local restrictions, and will be paid in the form of grants distributed via Tendring District Council (TDC).
The application form is available at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus- but businesses only have until Sunday 29 November to apply.
Between the two grants they seek to help businesses who have had to close, or those who have been able to trade but have been severely affected by the restrictions, regardless of whether they pay business rates or not.
The schemes will award eligible businesses up to £3,000 in support based on their size and sector, and some firms may be eligible for both schemes – but only need to make a single application.
A third discretionary scheme, the Additional Restrictions Grant, is for those businesses not required to close during the current national restrictions but who have been severely impacted. Details of this are scheme being finalised subject to emerging Government guidance and will be released next week – businesses can check www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronavirus for updates.
Businesses will also be able to apply for funding allocated by Essex County Council (ECC) for Business Adaptations, to carry out adjustments to generate income whilst restrictions remain in place and when restrictions are removed and they are able to reopen.
Businesses will be able to view further information, the eligibility criteria and apply for grants at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/coronvirus.
Neil Stock OBE, TDC Leader, said quickly distributing the grants was an important part of the authority’s Back to Business agenda.
“This funding is welcomed and we will now work through getting the grants distributed to businesses as soon as possible,” Cllr Stock said.
“We understand how difficult it has been for businesses and we will continue to do all we can to support them, particularly through the winter months which bring additional challenges.
“We know businesses have been waiting for this funding for some time, and now we have the finalised details and guidance we are acting fast.”
Cllr Tony Ball, ECC Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, added: “This package of funding will significantly support local business, including the hospitality sector, across the county. District, borough and city councils will now work with local businesses to allocate and distribute grant funding.
“We understand the pressure that the introduction of additional Covid-19 restrictions has put on local businesses, and we will continue to do all we can to support those in need during these unprecedented times.”
