Craven District Council : Further Government funding announced for small businesses including B&Bs in Craven

Further Government funding announced for small businesses including B&Bs in Craven

Craven District Council will receive further funding to support small businesses in the district that have been affected by the coronavirus crisis.

The extra Government funding has been announced to help some of the businesses that were not eligible for the original Government grant scheme.

Local authorities will receive an extra £617 million in total. The funding will be available to help small businesses such as bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates, and small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief.

Councils have also been asked to prioritise businesses in shared spaces and regular market traders.

Local authorities will be given discretion to make payments of any amount under £10,000 to businesses that can demonstrate a significant drop in income due to Covid-19 restrictions.

If businesses have already applied to the original scheme, there is no need to re-apply. The Council will revisit the original applications to see if they fit the new criteria.

Businesses that have not previously applied, but think they may be eligible for the new scheme, are asked to submit their details on the Council’s website at www.cravendc.gov.uk/business-grants

Businesses without a business rates reference number can still fill in the form.

Craven District Council has paid out £19.74m to 1,670 businesses so far under the original grant scheme which began at the start of April 2020.

Councillor Richard Foster, Leader of Craven District Council, said: “We know that many businesses within Craven have been left struggling as a result of the current crisis and that many, including B&B businesses, were not eligible for the original Government funding scheme. We have been making representations to the Government on their behalf and we are delighted that there is some good news for these businesses.

“We have not yet received all the details and guidance relating to this scheme, but our teams will continue to work very hard to ensure businesses receive the help they desperately need as soon as possible.”

For further information visit: https://www.cravendc.gov.uk/business/business-rates/business-rates-government-grants/