South Northamptonshire Council pledges to do ‘everything it can’ as business grant support scheme is launched

South Northamptonshire Council has launched its business grant scheme

The grant support scheme is aimed mainly at supporting small businesses which were forced to close due to the government lockdown.

The council (SNC) is set to distribute more than £17 million from the scheme and estimates that more than 1,500 businesses could benefit.

Councillor Peter Rawlinson, SNC’s portfolio holder for finance, performance and governance, said: “We know businesses across the district are feeling the strain and I want them to know we are doing everything we can to support them.”

A £10,000 grant will be paid by SNC to any businesses which are in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate relief.

Firms which are in receipt of the Enhanced Retail Discount for 2020/21, and have a rateable value of up to £15,000 which are not covered by the Small Business Grant Fund, will also receive a grant of £10,000.

Retail, leisure and hospitality business properties with a rateable value of up to £50,999 will receive a grant of £25,000.

Businesses will be eligible for a grant on more than one property, providing certain criteria are met. A separate form must be completed for each property that may be eligible for a grant.

The application must be completed by the business ratepayer and a bank statement dated within the last three months will be required to support the information provided.

If the ratepayer is a company or partnership, it should be completed by a company director or one of the partners in the firm.

To apply, and to read the Governments FAQs on the scheme, visit – www.southnorthants.gov.uk/COVID-19-business-grants