Rushcliffe Borough Council has bucked the trend by distributing all of a vital central government COVID-19 grants support stream to local businesses, compared with more than 80 per cent of the payments yet to reach businesses nationally.
According to the Events Industry Alliance, £1.3 billion of the £1.6 billion allocated for the Additional Restrictions Grants announced by government since October has yet to be paid, in contrast to the authority ensuring all payments have reached eligible local businesses.
Its research suggests some councils across the UK are distributing the funding in tranches which could last until March 2022 but the Borough Council’s teams ensured it was in a position to distribute all funding quickly and effectively as grants were released following Tier 3 restrictions and closures last year.
All Rushcliffe businesses can still access COVID-19 related support at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/businesscoronavirus that includes business support programmes with workshops and one to one coaching on marketing, shopper experience and reopening non-essential businesses safely when restrictions allow.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Leader Cllr Simon Robinson said: “The news on these figures highlights the excellent performance of our revenues and other teams over the last few months to reach out to so many businesses who have been closed or affected by the pandemic for long periods.
“We understand fellow local authorities’ strategies for the funds reaching businesses are different and in line with what they feel works best.
“Our position from the outset was clear though, to ensure no time was wasted and the payments being distributed were a priority. We recognise businesses need support now. We would like to have helped out more and whilst Government support has been substantial such funds are limited.
“We know businesses are facing such stark pressures and we’re committed to helping them wherever we can. We would encourage all business owners to look at what assistance is still available through the business support programmes.”
Business owners with any COVID-19 trading questions should email econdev@rushcliffe.gov.uk for more information.
Eligible high street businesses or established business groups can also apply for a COVID Digital Recovery Grant that can further help them adapt and improve their online presence or sales.
Small to medium size retail, hospitality, personal care, leisure, tourism and other enterprises in the Borough can now access up to £1,000 over and above existing central government grant support by visiting https://bit.ly/3lQWfuG.
This allows businesses to create or improve a website, seek advice and support on the improving their social media presence or create greater online transactional capability.
It can also aid local retail groups or traders’ associations supporting or enhancing the development of, for example, an online market place for their town or village.
