Over £4 million claimed by Charnwood businesses under the Restart Grant scheme

The council are encouraging more businesses to join the nearly 600 who have received grants already.

The Restart Grant scheme supports businesses that offer in-person services, have a business rates account and have been forced to close under Covid restrictions.
 
Unlike some other grants where the Council has been able to make automatic payments to local companies, the Restart Grant requires all companies to fill in an application form.

Restart Grants range from £2,667 to £18,000 depending on several factors.
 
Eligible businesses are:

• Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.
• Accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training
• Indoor entertainment and tourist venues
• Non-essential retail
• Personal care, e.g. hair salons, beauty salons, tattooists etc
• Sports facilities

Cllr Tom Barkley, lead member for finance at the Council, said: “We have been working flat out since the start of the pandemic to get Government financial support to local businesses quickly and securely.
 
“I am pleased we have been able to issue £4.5 million under this scheme but I would urge all local businesses to check if they are eligible and apply.
 
“It means the Council has distributed around £54 million of Government funding to around 3,000 local companies in Charnwood since the start of the pandemic.
 
“We have worked hard to get the grants to local businesses to help them protect their livelihoods so as we move into more positive times, people still have jobs and we can start rebuilding the local economy to make it stronger than ever.”