More businesses urged to apply now for discretionary grant scheme

Businesses in Warwick district impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are being urged to apply for a discretionary business grant scheme to assist them as we move toward recovery and the gradual reopening of our town centres.
The Council has been allocated £1.7m from the Government to support a range of businesses, who weren’t eligible for the Small Business Grant or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant which were available from April.
Businesses that have been impacted by the pandemic, ranging from those with large retail and hospitality premises to small and micro-businesses with fixed property costs, including sole traders that operate from home, are urged to check the full eligibility criteria on the Council’s website and apply today.
Councillor Richard Hales, Portfolio Holder for Business & Finance, said:
​“We are very aware of the detrimental impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on so many of our local businesses. The Council’s Finance Team has worked tirelessly to ensure that those who are eligible receive this lifeline support. To date more than 92% of businesses qualifying for the government scheme have received £30.5m in grants.
“However, we know that a number of businesses have fallen through the net. It’s important to stress that this is a grant not a loan, so I would therefore urge businesses who may now be eligible to make an application and access the support which is now available to them.

“If you’re self-employed, a sole trader or freelancer that has fixed property costs and has been impacted by the pandemic, or a retail and hospitality business that has a rateable value lower than £65k, please get in touch to check the eligibility criteria and apply today.”

For full details of the grant scheme including the eligibility criteria, visit 
www.warwickdc.gov.uk/discretionarygrantfund