Council extends discretionary grant scheme for small businesses

As the government grant scheme programmes reach their final stages, Warwick District Council is urging local businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to make an application to its discretionary grant scheme.

The authority says that, to date, 94% of businesses qualifying for the government’s Small Business, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure schemes in the district have received more than £33.5m in grant payments.

But it says there is additional funding of up to £10,000 available to businesses who were unable to access the original scheme through its discretionary programme, for which the council is further extending its deadline and eligibility criteria.

Cllr Richard Hales, portfolio holder for business and finance, said: “Since we took up the administration of the schemes in April our Finance team has worked tirelessly to ensure that as many businesses as possible receive this lifeline support.

“However, we know that a number of businesses categories have fallen through the net or may not even know that they are now eligible for help.”

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