Discretionary business grant scheme launched

Published 2 June 2020

Small businesses experiencing a significant drop in income as a result of Covid-19 can now apply to High Peak Borough Council for a Discretionary Business Grant Fund.

This fund is aimed at businesses that fell outside the scope of the previous grants for small businesses and those in retail, hospitality and leisure. It is for small businesses with ongoing fixed property related costs.

Funding awards are at the discretion of the Council with the maximum grant likely to be £10,000.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, said: "We're delighted to open up applications to this grant fund for businesses in the High Peak who weren't able to benefit from the previous funding.

"You can apply via a form on our website and we'll also need supporting evidence including your latest set of accounts.

"If you think you might be eligible please get your applications in and we'll look forward to receiving them and supporting more High Peak businesses through this unprecedented situation."

Councils have been asked by the Government to prioritise:

• businesses in shared spaces
• regular market traders
• small charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief
• bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates

Eligible businesses must have fewer that 50 employees and be able to demonstrate a significant drop in income due to Coronavirus restriction measures alongside evidence of fixed property costs and their accounts.

Leader of the Council, Anthony Mckeown, said: "The Council has been allocated a limited pot of funding by the Government to support this scheme and we urge eligible businesses to apply as soon as possible so we can make sure the funding can be used to ensure the maximum number of businesses across the High Peak benefit."

Visit www.highpeak.gov.uk/Coronavirus-Business-Financial-Support for more information and to apply.