The first £6.5m of Government’s Covid-19 grant funding has been issued to businesses in north Oxfordshire.
As of Tuesday 14 April, 481 businesses who have completed a form via Cherwell District Council’s website have been paid. The council is advising businesses that it is working to complete the processing of claims as quickly as possible.
Businesses receiving Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief who wish to receive the grants of £10,000 are required to provide information via a council website form. Awards will be considered in accordance with government guidelines.
Businesses 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, in accordance with Government guidelines. Retail Leisure and Hospitality business properties with a rateable value of up to £50,999 will receive a grant of £25,000.
Cllr Lynn Pratt, lead member for economy, said: “We all benefit from the value and opportunity created by small and medium enterprises, but many of them will never have experienced a challenge like coronavirus and its consequences for their revenue and workforce.
“Since Government announced this package of measures, we have been working really hard to facilitate the grants. I would encourage any business who believes they are eligible to complete the online form as quickly as possible.
“We are doing everything in our power to get this support to local organisations that need it and help them through this unprecedented period.”
Businesses will be eligible for a grant on more than one property, providing criteria are met. A separate form must be completed for each property that may be eligible for a grant.
The council website signposts a range of other support and information for businesses, including:
- Rate relief
- The job retention scheme
- Statutory sick pay relief
- The HMRC Time to Pay scheme and VAT deferral
- Loans and finance
Businesses can access all of this information and the forms for the grant funds via this link: https://www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/4/business/675/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-businesses/3
Last Updated 23 July 2020
