| Government Announce Top Up Grants From: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/top-up-to-local-business-grant-funds-scheme?fbclid=IwAR35_yNyE_bTGs3FoLl2qiBcU9DM3Bij3WUgQCJUIamUSe_u9Tl56hAbWFE The Business Secretary Alok Sharma and Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Simon Clarke spoke to local authorities in England yesterday to set out that up to £617 million would be made available. This additional fund is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs. We are asking local authorities to prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates. But local authorities may choose to make payments to other businesses based on local economic need. The allocation of funding will be at the discretion of local authorities.Businesses must be small, under 50 employees, and they must also be able to demonstrate that they have seen a significant drop of income due to Coronavirus restriction measures.There will be three levels of grant payments. The maximum will be £25,000. There will also be grants of £10,000. local authorities will have discretion to make payments of any amount under £10,000. It will be for councils to adapt this approach to local circumstances.Further guidance for local authorities will be set out shortly. |
| We will let you know as soon as we receive details from Eastbourne Borough Council how they plan to administer this fund. This announcement follows an extensive lobbying campaign by Your Eastbourne BID, the Eastbourne unLtd Chamber of Commerce, Eastbourne Borough Council and our MP to highlight the many businesses across the region who were not eligible for relief under the initial grant funding. This campaign included the Eastbourne unLtd Chamber of Commerce organising for BBC South East to visit the Enterprise Centre. The BBC interviewed some of the businesses affected, along with one of our Directors Denise Harwood. See below for the report. |