Extended applications window for small business grants
Tuesday, 23 June 2020
The application deadline for our government-funded Small Business Discretionary Grant Scheme has been extended to Monday June 29.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available for businesses and local charities which are struggling to survive due to the coronavirus restrictions but are unable to access other grant funding. Those working from home are not eligible for this scheme.
To be eligible, you must have business premises on which you have fixed costs such as commercial rent/rates, a mortgage, or be a bed and breakfast paying Council Tax.
Explained Councillor Richard Wenham, our Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources:
We are aware some eligible businesses have had difficulties in putting together the information we need to process their applications. In the light of this we have decided to extend the applications period by a further week.
The scheme is aimed at those with high premises costs and they must have evidence such as bank statements that their business has been badly affected by the pandemic.
I also want to make it very clear that these are grants which do not have to be repaid by the successful applicant. The Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce has told us there was some confusion among their members on this point.
“That also applies to the earlier Business Grant Scheme which remains open to small businesses which are registered for business rates.