£1.2M Covid funding made available for Melton businesses

Melton Borough Council is currently allocating £732,222 from the Local Restrictions Grant Scheme, which is for businesses forced to close under the terms of the second lockdown, which runs through until December 2.

A further £512,000 is available through a discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) fund to support businesses significantly impacted by the lockdown and which have been forced to close but are not covered by the other grant.

The council aims to use the limited ARG funding it has been given to help those organisations which receive most of their income through retail, tourism, hospitality, physical activity leisure, events and events management plus food and drink-related activity.

Councillor Leigh Higgins, deputy leader of the council, said: “We are on the side of businesses here in Melton and we are looking to boost confidence back into the local economy.

“Therefore, we are pleased to be able to provide this much needed support to local businesses during this time.

“We are looking to target our support where it is most needed and have developed a scheme that supports those most adversely impacted by this national lockdown.

“To this end, we will be looking to support local business through providing some additional support via the discretionary ARG scheme.

“We encourage all businesses affected to check their eligibility and to apply for the funding they are entitled to, as soon as they are able.”

To ensure the process is as easy as possible for businesses, access to both grants will be through the same application form, which can be accessed on the council’s website.

Once received, the council will review each application against the criteria and determine which grant, if any, will be allocated to the applicant.

Go to www.melton.gov.uk/here4melton/business to apply for a grant, find out additional information or to check eligibility.

To support residents whose earnings are affected by staying at home and isolating the council is also administering the government Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme where eligible residents can apply for a payment of £500. Go to the support hub for details.