Nottinghamshire councils dish out more than a quarter of a billion pounds in Covid grants

Councils across Nottinghamshire have distributed more than £350 million in grants to struggling businesses and traders since the start of the Covid pandemic, official figures show.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The funding came as part of numerous Government grants and support schemes launched during the coronavirus pandemic to keep businesses afloat during lockdowns and local restrictions.

Tens of thousands of payments were made by councils during the two years to March 2022, with councils saying the support has allowed local traders to keep their heads above water at a time when they were “hit hardest”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Figures for Mansfield confirm almost £36 million was distributed to businesses across the district, with Mansfield Council stating 8,839 payments have been made over the past two years.

Millions of pounds has been given out to support businesses during the pandemic.Millions of pounds has been given out to support businesses during the pandemic.
Millions of pounds has been given out to support businesses during the pandemic.

Ashfield Council has made 8,981 payments, totalling £35.4m, while Gedling Council, which covers Ravenshead, says it has paid out £31.4m to more than 2,250 businesses.

Coun John Clarke, council leader, said: “Our officers have worked relentlessly to ensure as many eligible businesses as possible have been able to apply for, and receive, much-needed grant funding at a time when their businesses were hit hardest.”

Newark & Sherwood Council has not responded to a request for figures.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, Government data shows the authority will have distributed at least £25m each, meaning councils across Nottinghamshire will have issued more than £355m in grants since the pandemic began.

The funding was provided to local authorities from Whitehall to distribute to traders, with eligible businesses, traders and the self-employed required to apply to their council for individual payments.

As of March 19, 2022, all Government business grant schemes had closed, with no Covid restrictions in place across England.

Read More
Mansfield Old Town Hall improvements planned – to fly more flags

A message from Jon Ball, your Chad Editor: Enjoy our headlines with fewer distractions and sign up to a digital subscription today - fewer ads, faster load times and all of the stories you need. Your support for our journalism means we can continue supporting our communities for generations to come. Visit chad.co.uk/subscriptions