More than £17m paid out in grants to businesses
A council says it has paid £17.5m to businesses hit by the Covid crisis as part of the latest grant scheme.
Shropshire Council said the money had gone to 2,412 businesses, from the grant scheme which opened on January 19 – they cover the lockdown period between January 5, 2021 and February 12, 2021.
Steve Charmley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration said: “We are doing everything we can to support local businesses, and working very long hours to get these grants out to local firms. We know that this money is a lifeline to many.
“Understandably the demand for these has been huge, so please bear with us as we go through previous applications and assess new ones in line with Government criteria.
“We will of course continue to work hard to pay these as quickly as possible, and do all we can to help and support local people who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.”
The council said that in the two weeks it has paid: £5,829,003 for the LRSG Closed Addendum – January lockdown fund, and £11,654,000 for the Closed Business Lockdown Payment – for the January lockdown,
For businesses which are mandated to close but do not pay business rates, or for businesses who do not fall within the eligible sectors outlined for support from LRSG but have been severely impacted by this latest lockdown, a further Discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant (DARG) is now available.
People can find out more by visiting https://shropshire.gov.uk/covid19darg
