A new fund to support local businesses impacted by national coronavirus restrictions is now open for applications.
New Forest District Council are making one-off discretionary grant payments to support the fixed property costs of specific types of business, that are impacted (but not necessarily closed) by the National Restrictions for the period 5 November – 2 December 2020.
The fund is called the Additional Restrictions (Discretionary) Grant.
The fund, which will make payments of up to £3,000 per business, is specifically aimed at businesses not previously eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) and are impacted (but not necessarily closed) by the national restrictions.
The level of grant awarded will be based upon annual fixed premises costs for the business and all businesses applying will need to be able demonstrate these at the point of application. Home-based businesses will be eligible providing they meet the criteria of the fund.
Key business types will be prioritised in this fund. These are businesses in the retail, hospitality, events and leisure sectors, businesses in the immediate supply chain for those sectors, and business required to close by law, but which do not pay business rates (and are therefore not eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG)).
New Forest District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development Cllr Michael Harris OBE said;
“This grant will provide vitally important support for businesses which have already experienced considerable hardship. The fund will help to retain local jobs and supply chains at a time of year which is so critical to many businesses in the New Forest economy.”
Applications can be made on the New Forest District Council website https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/1274/Financial-support-for-businesses-affected-by-coronavirus and will remain open until 12pm on Friday 29 January 2021.
This scheme is subject to limited funding and will be closed as soon as funds have been exhausted.