GRANTS COULD PROVIDE 'LIFELINE' FOR SMALL BUSINESSES HIT BY PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN

                                             

Cllr Jackson: 'Let's pull together!'

A DEADLINE of December 2 looms for eligible North East Lincolnshire businesses to apply for grant funding if they’ve been forced to close during the second national lockdown.

So far, some 900 businesses have already applied for funding via the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) and Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) schemes.

These monies are aimed at alleviating the financial pressure on businesses who have been unable to trade normally. 

Ratepaying business in the retail, hospitality and indoor leisure sectors who have been forced to close due to these restrictions will be eligible to claim grants of up to £3,000 for the 28-day period to 2 December. 

In addition, the Council is making available discretionary grants of up to £2,100 for businesses in this sector who are not in the rating system, or are supply chain businesses who have been severely affected due to their business customers being closed.

Businesses need to complete an application form to claim for each eligible business premises. 

To find out more about the grant funding and to complete an application form, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Says Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council: “This pandemic has affected all businesses and sectors in some way, and it is important that support is made available to help our business community bounce back when restrictions are lifted.

“The grant funding provides a lifeline to many businesses in our patch that are struggling because of COVID-19 and have been forced to close.

“We are also offering businesses a suite of support so that those that are able to remain open can operate safely and can adapt to sell their products online or through click-and-collect. 

"I would urge businesses to take up these offers of support and pull together so we can get through these difficult times.”