Trafford Council updates grant scheme to help small businesses

Trafford Council has updated the criteria for the Trafford Discretionary Business Grant Scheme to enable more small businesses to benefit.

To date the Council has paid over £43 million to local businesses via the Small Business Grant; Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant and Discretionary Business Grant schemes.

.The Discretionary Business Grant scheme is aimed at small businesses that have not been able to access other grant programmes. To date the scheme has focused on companies operating in shared/flexible work spaces, regular market traders and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates.

The new Category 4 scheme will be open to all businesses with fixed property costs and in premises with a rateable value of £30,000 or below including, manufacturing and engineering firms, digital and creative companies, childcare providers/nurseries, and businesses awaiting Valuation Office assessment.

The level of discretionary grant available has also been increased up to a maximum of £10,000 depending on the category of businesses. Companies who have already received a grant under the scheme will automatically be able receive an additional top up, where they are eligible to do so.

The scheme will close to applications at 5pm on 24 July 2020 or once all funds available have been allocated.

Cllr Tom Ross, Trafford Council’s Executive member for Finance and Investment, said:

We are doing everything possible to ensure that businesses can continue to operate safely during the current lockdown period – but many businesses have been forced to close and have seen their takings fall dramatically.

“The amendments to this scheme following feedback received will help more companies with fixed property costs that haven’t been able to access existing assistance programmes.

While the funding is capped by the government, we want to help as many local firms as we can. Businesses should apply for funding online and see if they meet the eligibility criteria, and where they qualify we will make payments as swiftly as we can.”

Full details of eligibility criteria and the application process for discretionary business grants can be found on the Council website.

Posted on Friday 3rd July 2020