Fylde Council has launched a new scheme to support local businesses that have suffered significant losses as a result of COVID 19. Smaller businesses not previously eligible for government funding during the lock down may be eligible for a grant of up to £10,000 under the government-funded Local Authority Discretionary Business Grant Fund.
The new scheme aims to help small businesses not covered by the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund. Businesses must have less than fifty employees, pay fixed property-related costs, and be able to show that they have suffered a significant loss due to the coronavirus crisis. Full details on the eligibility criteria and the application process can be found on our website at www.fylde.gov.uk/dbgf
The Council will prioritise small businesses in shared offices or other flexible works paces which do not have their own business rates assessment, short term holiday lets or B&B’s that pay domestic council tax instead of business rates, locally based charities receiving charitable business rate relief and regular market traders without business rates assessment but with fixed building costs.
Councillor Karen Buckley, Acting Fylde Council Leader, said:
“Supporting small businesses in Fylde is a key part of the economic recovery process. Once we received the go-ahead from central Government, we worked quickly to create an approved policy from which many businesses will now be able to benefit.
“We are proud of the wide range of small businesses that operate in Fylde and we look forward to being able to offer this additional support to as many as possible in the current crisis.”
Applications to the fund, which is cash-limited, must be made by Monday 8th June. Applications will be assessed against the scheme criteria and awards made to eligible companies. If there are funds left over after this initial round of applications, there may be another opportunity to apply in the summer.
