More funding available for Northampton's small businesses

Businesses who meet the borough council's criteria are asked to apply ahead of Friday. Picture by Leila Coker.

Hundreds of Northampton's smaller businesses who missed out of the Government's Covid-19 relief scheme can claim a share of the 'discretionary fund' grant by the borough council.

It comes as many businesses who applied for the Government's Covid-19 business relief grant in April this year fell between the cracks and were unable to claim the crucial lifeline.

But the 'discretionary' grant scheme by the borough council could help hundreds more livelihoods if applications for funding are made before Friday, June 19.

The following businesses are encouraged to contact Northampton Borough Council by 5pm, if they fall within the following criteria:

• Large local businesses in the Hospitality and Leisure sectors with a rateable value in excess of £51,001.

• Small manufactures with a workshop or a warehouse with a rateable value between £15,001-£51,000.

• Small businesses in shared offices, or other flexible working spaces. Examples could include mills, units in industrial parks, science parks and incubators, which do not have their own business rates assessment.

• Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment.

• Bed and breakfasts which pay council tax instead of business rates.

• Charitable properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for small business rates relief or rural rate relief.

• Large local charities with a rateable value of over £51,000.

• Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector which do not pay business rates directly and have fixed property costs.

Councillor Jonathan Nunn, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: “We’ve already distributed millions of pounds of financial support, through all the Government grant schemes, to thousands of businesses across the town but we know there are more who are entitled to this grant funding who have not yet applied.

“If you run a business and have not yet received any financial assistance through the previous Government grant schemes, aimed at supporting you during the pandemic, please do get in touch with our team by the end of the week.”

To apply, click here by 5pm on Friday, 19 June to apply, and for more information, please email: [email protected]