Deadline approaches for Wealden businesses to get funding

The firms which were not eligible for the Covid-19 Small Business or Retail Hopsitality and Leisure Grants can apply for the Discretionary Business Grant.

A Wealden District Council spokesperson said this support is geared towards small businesses not eligible for other help because they do not pay business rates.

Typical enterprises which can be helped are those in shared or managed offices, bed and breakfast establishments and regular

market traders.

Bob Standley, leader of Wealden District Council, said, “We have already paid out £36.4 million to local businesses through the original Covid business support schemes.

“We now have a further £2.6 million to help other Wealden businesses, ensuring our rural economy continues to survive and thrive despite the pandemic.”

Mr Standley said the council was ‘concerned’ some businesses, which did not pay business rates, had been missing out on support.

He said, “Along with other local authorities, we raised this with the government. I am pleased to say they have responded with a discretionary scheme which has allowed us identify local priorities, once national priorities have been met.”

According to the council, bed and breakfast premises will be eligible to grants of up to £5,000, market traders grants up to £3,000 and other small business may be eligible to grants of up to £10,000, in accordance with the council’s Discretionary Grant Policy.

In very exceptional circumstances, the council said, they will consider awarding grants of £25,000 where the failure of a business would have a significant impact on the economy of Wealden.

Anyone who believes they may be eligible can complete the Covid-19 Discretionary Grant Scheme for Businesses application form, which can be found on the Covid-19 pages of the Wealden website.

The council said by applying soon it will help ensure payments for national priorities and local priorities are made ‘as quickly as possible’.

For details about the Small Business Grant Scheme and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Scheme and other scheme to help business, visit the Grants and Support for Businesses page on the Covid-19 section of Wealden District council’s website.

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