An extra £9million of Government coronavirus grants have been paid to 1,000 small businesses in Plymouth in just over a week - but even more claims are likely to be made.
Plymouth City Council announced on April 14 that it has forwarded £23million to 2,000 of the city's SMEs from the the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.
That figure has now leapt to £32million. and paid directly to more than 3,000 Plymouth businesses. But hundreds more have yet to ask for grants to help them through the Covid-19 pandemic.
The council is now on the look out for and contacting more businesses that could benefit from the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, which offer grants of up to £10,000 and £25,000 respectively.
In total, £12.3billion of Government cash will be going to businesses in England to help them through the coronavirus lockdown.
Plymouth's council leader Tudor Evans (Labour) said: “Since the start of the pandemic we have been working incredibly hard to support local businesses and protect jobs. I’m really proud to be able to say that we have already distributed £32million in grants, but there is more work to be done and we will not rest on our laurels.
“We now have a team of people on the case to actively search for and speak to anyone who hasn’t yet applied for the Government grant funding available, making sure they receive the support they need.
“We also recognise that there are many businesses that have fallen through the gaps and are missing out on vital Government support. They have not been forgotten and we are lobbying hard, asking for urgent financial support for these businesses.”
The Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund were announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March as part of a £330billion package of support for businesses. Letters were sent to Plymouth businesses on March 26 with details of how to apply for the grants.
The following criteria apply to the grant scheme:
* Any business currently in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief will be eligible for a £10,000 grant.
* Any retail, hospitality or leisure business in receipt of Expanded Retail Discount with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for a grant per property based on eligibility criteria:
Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value of £15,000 or below will be eligible for a £10,000 grant.
Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value above £15,000 and below £51,000 will be eligible for a £25,000 grant.
Plymouth City Council is also working with partners, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Business Improvement Districts to increase awareness of the grants.
Many of the businesses identified as eligible receive Small Business Rate Relief so do not have contact with the council’s rates team and may not realise they are entitled to funding.
However, about 400 Plymouth businesses - employing more than 3,000 people - are still without a financial lifeline because they don’t fit the criteria for one of the Government’s coronavirus crisis grant schemes, despite Treasury announcements of a huge package of support for many sectors across the country.
Particularly start-ups, events businesses and the self-employed may have missed out on this vital Government support.
Cllr Evans said his administration has been pushing for more support for businesses and said: “We are collectively knocking on every door possible asking for help for these Plymouth companies."
Any businesses which think they might be eligible are encouraged to get in touch via the dedicated business grant helpline on 01752 308984. For more information click here
