Millions of pounds handed out to struggling businesses in Eastbourne

Some 814 businesses registered for a business grant in the first few days since the scheme went live and £10.3m released in grants.

The Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund was announced by the government in response to the acute challenges being faced by businesses at this time.

Eligible businesses will receive £10,000 or £25,000 depending on various criteria.

The initiative went live last Thursday (April 9).

Chamber of Commerce boss Christina Ewbank thanked Eastbourne council staff.

She said, “Unlike other councils which have employed systems of payment that are more reliant on manual checking, Eastbourne and Lewes have an automated process of validation so that eligible businesses will receive what they are due more quickly.

“I’d like to thank council leader David Tutt and the council teams for working such long hours to put everything in place.

“Hundreds of businesses in our town will receive millions of pounds this week and that is great news at a time when we are still in lockdown and could be for several weeks to come.”

Businesses can visit the council website where they can register on a dedicated portal - www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/businessgrants

When the required information is uploaded, an automated system validates the details and payments to the businesses will soon follow.

David Tutt said, “Considering the challenges our officers had to overcome, not least the continual government changes in the parameters for making these payments, they have worked miracles to get this system in place so soon.

“For employers and their employees this financial support is critically important and I’m delighted it is now available.”

For more information on business support during the coronavirus crisis visit www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk

Updates and news are also being posted on Twitter - @LewesDC and @EastbourneBC

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.