Support Fund for Small Businesses
Eligible businesses are invited to apply by 19th June for a grant of up to £10,000 from the Government’s discretionary business support grant scheme.
The scheme is designed to support businesses affected by the pandemic who have fixed costs for premises but don’t qualify for the existing support grants scheme because they don’t pay business rates.
https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/58/business/749/coronavirus_business_support
The Government has allocated £1.6 million to us for the discretionary grants scheme. We published local guidelines consistent with the Government’s criteria for the scheme, with support to be prioritised for businesses that:
– Have experienced a significant reduction in income due specifically to the coronavirus measures, and
– Have fixed costs in respect of business premises located within Bedford Borough, and
– Have rent or mortgage costs of less than £51,000 per year, and
– Are small or micro businesses or are charities or similar not-for-profit
We have already made awards totalling over £25 million through the Government’s existing business support grants scheme.
With limited funding available for the discretionary scheme, we want to ensure that all eligible businesses are able to receive some support. We are asking for applications by 19th June, after which we will review all applications against the criteria and ensure the available funds are shared amongst eligible businesses, according to need. Awards are capped at a maximum of £10,000.