Herefordshire Council has announced an extension to the Discretionary Grant Scheme for businesses and charities, and invites any further eligible businesses to apply for funding.
Herefordshire council have now paid out over £56 million of central government grant funding to 4,825 businesses and are now seeking to support even more businesses in Herefordshire by extending the eligibility criteria for the Discretionary Grant Scheme. In line with government guidance, applications are now invited from Herefordshire based micro businesses, small businesses and registered charities in the following circumstances:
- Businesses or charities that are ratepayers and whose main business premises is in Herefordshire, has a rateable value of less than £51,000 and has not received a previous Covid-19 grant
- Businesses that operate from a shared workspace in Herefordshire where they do not have their own business rates assessment
- Regular market or street traders with fixed building costs, such as rent or license fees, who do not have their own business rates assessment
- Bed and breakfasts which pay council tax instead of business rates
- Registered charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief, which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief
Funding for this grant is limited and the council is aiming to maximise the number of Herefordshire businesses supported during the Covid-19 pandemic. The minimum grant paid to any one business or charity will be £2,000 and the maximum will be £10,000.
Sharon Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are pleased to see that Herefordshire Council is responding proactively and flexibly to the needs of businesses at this time. Their dedication to meeting local business needs will be welcomed by the business community in Herefordshire. We know that a number of businesses continue to fall through the gaps in support, so this concerted effort by the Council to address these shortfalls is welcome.“
To find out more and apply for a grant, click here. This is open until Monday 10th August.