Local MP for Basingstoke has welcomed vital financial support delivered by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to businesses that were affected by COVID-19 restrictions at the end of 2020.
Over £1 million of funding has been given to businesses forced to close as a result of the second round of national restrictions between 5 November and 2 December 2020 through the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses).
Alongside this, a further £29,000 of funding has been paid to wet-led pubs who make most of their income from selling drinks rather than food and a further £196,380 has been paid to 118 businesses through the council’s discretionary funding scheme, the Additional Restrictions Grant.
Maria said “Schemes such as Local Restrictions Grant play a crucial part of the Government’s response to COVID and I welcome this additional funding made available by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to support our local businesses. I urge all eligible businesses to apply.”
There is still time for businesses to apply for payments from the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for closed businesses). This includes any non-essential retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that were forced to close between 5 November and 2 December 2020.
Two new funding schemes will also launch later this week to provide much-needed support for local businesses. This includes the Local Restrictions Support Grant (open businesses) which covers the period of Tier 2 restrictions from 2 December to 25 December 2020 and the Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed businesses) which is available for businesses affected by Tier 4 restrictions between 26 December and 8 January 2021.
Eligible businesses will receive an email by the end of this week with a reference and passcode number and they will be asked to confirm their details are still correct. Payments will then be made within three to five working days. If businesses do not receive an email by 15 January 2021, they should get in touch with the council by email at rates@basingstoke.gov.uk.
The Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed businesses) scheme will remain open. This support will continue from 9 January 2021 for every 14-day period while the borough is subject to a national lockdown or Tier 4 restrictions. In addition to this funding, retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will also be entitled to cash grants worth up to £9,000 depending on the rateable value of their premises. The council will distribute this funding once further guidance on eligibility has been received from the government.
For more information on the support available and eligibility criteria, businesses should visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/local-restrictions-support-grant