Cash up for grabs to help Ashfield area businesses struggling through coronavirus

Ashfield District Council has already helped businesses in the district. It received £22m funding from the government as part of its Small Business Rate Relief (SBBR) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grants.

The council is now encouraging eligible businesses who have received a letter from the council, and who have not yet applied, to visit the its website and complete the online form. All the information asked for is required to prevent payment delays.

Hundreds of business have already applied for grants, and individual businesses awarded £10k for the SBBR Grant and up to £25k for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant.

Cllr Mathew Relf, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “There are still numerous businesses in the district we haven’t heard from. We want to make it clear to all eligible businesses that this is a grant, the money won’t have to be paid back.

“Council officers are contacting businesses that haven’t yet applied, and we encourage anyone who has received a letter or believes they are eligible to go to the Council’s website and complete the online application form.

“The coronavirus outbreak has left dozens of business across our district struggling. Many have furloughed staff and as a council, we are doing everything possible to support them.”

Tasha Cotterill of Kip McGrath Ashfield said “The business grant has been very useful to us as a start-up business, as it has meant that we can carry on tutoring within the community by moving to online learning. We hope that the grant will enable us to get through these hard times.

Carrie Austin of Carrie Austin Photography adds “This help is so appreciated. The grant means I don't have to worry about shutting the door of my studio until it is safe to reopen.

Money is a constant worry running a business and this grant has taken the pressure off. I'm so grateful.”

Cllr Matthew Relf added “We know what worrying times these are for business owners.”

See https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus-advice-for-residents/support-for-businesses/ Email [email protected]

Discover Ashfield Ambassadors can advise. Contact [email protected] Also: Discover Ashfield at www.discoverashfield.co.uk or by Discover Ashfield on Facebook.