Millions of pounds worth of grant payments for small businesses

About £40m worth of grant payments have so far been made to small businesses in Bradford district and the East Riding.

Both councils covering these areas have allocated this cash through the Government’s business grants scheme and business rates relief.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has made grant payments to 1,942 small businesses, worth a total of £19,420,000. And more than £20m has been paid under the Small Business Grant Scheme in Bradford.

A spokesman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: “The council will be processing grant payments daily to get the money to businesses as soon as possible following payment by central Government.

“More than 7,000 applications are expected to be processed over the coming days.

“But the council is asking businesses who have already applied not to contact the council to ask when their payments will be made. All grants will be paid as soon as possible and staff are concentrating on processing as many as possible.”

Councillor Richard Burton, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to make these first vital payments so quickly to help small businesses in the East Riding.

“Our finance and businesses rates teams are working flat out to make sure businesses and residents get the financial support they need during this very difficult period.

“So we are asking businesses to please bear with us, we are working hard to make payments as soon as humanly possible.”

The council has received more than 4,000 applications for the £10,000 Small Business Grant, which is available to businesses with a rateable value of up to £15,000.

Hundreds of other businesses will also be eligible for the £25,000 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant, which is available to firms in those sectors with a rateable value of over £15,000 but less than £51,000. The application process for this grant is now open.

To check eligibility and apply for the grant, East Riding businesses should visit the council’s website: www.eastriding.gov.uk/business/business-rates/billing-business-rates

As part of additional support measures, the council is also processing changes to the Retail Relief scheme which will mean all retail, leisure and tourism businesses will pay no business rates in 2020-21, regardless of their rateable value.

In Bradford, councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “We understand the coronavirus pandemic has made this a very difficult time for our businesses and we are committed to doing all we can to support them through the coming weeks and months.

“Over 2,000 businesses in the district will receive the £10,000 grant and this should start to appear in their accounts in next few days.

“Council staff have been working hard to make sure those who qualify get the support they need.

“We have written to businesses about the grant and Business Rates Relief and would urge any business that hasn’t responded to the letter, to get in contact with the council’s Business Rates Team, so they can arrange for the payments to be made.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: “It’s vital we do everything we can to support businesses in our district to get through these unprecedented times.

“If there are businesses that are eligible for this money, we would urge them to contact us as soon as they can, so we can arrange payments for them.”

Businesses who haven’t contacted Bradford Council about the help and support available, can do so on 01274 437744.

Information about the help and advice available for businesses during the coronavirus outbreak can also be found at www.bradford.gov.uk