More support for businesses affected by the coronavirus lockdown

Hundreds of businesses across Herefordshire that have been affected by the current national Covid-19 lockdown restrictions could benefit from a new discretionary grant support.

The grants are available for businesses and registered charities within Herefordshire that do not have a business rate assessment and that have been mandated to close during the latest national lockdown, or have lost at least 50% of business turnover for January 2021 as a result of the restrictions.

The Discretionary Grant Fund 3 and Exceptional Circumstances Fund 2, managed by Herefordshire Council, are for businesses impacted by the latest Covid-19 restrictions introduced from 5 January 2021, but not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant.

Environment, Economy and Skills cabinet member Ellie Chowns said: “Herefordshire businesses continue to be hit very hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This new discretionary grant support will provide much-needed assistance to some smaller businesses and charities that have needed to close or continued to experience significantly reduced demand due to the latest restrictions.”

Further details, the full eligibility criteria for businesses and how to apply can be found on the Herefordshire Council website at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/discretionarygrant

Businesses that successfully received a Discretionary Grant Fund 2 award for the November 2020 restrictions do not need to re-apply – an email will have been sent to applicants to action.