Council chiefs are reminding Trafford businesses that Covid-19 assistance remains available in the form of financial support and specialist advice, and are asking them to get in touch to ensure they have all the latest information.
Eligible businesses that pay business rates and have either had to close due to Covid-19 restrictions or have remained open but seen trade adversely affected can apply for a Local Restrictions Support Grant. There is no need to reapply for each new tier announcement as the Council will automatically make payments based on the initial application.
Businesses that do not pay businesses rates may be eligible for a grant payment of £2,000 via the Additional Restrictions (Discretionary) Grant scheme.
‘Wet-led pubs’ can apply for a £1,000 one-off payment as additional Christmas support where under 50% of their income from food sales, and applications can be made even if a tier 2 and/or tier 3 grant has already been received.
The Council’s Environmental Health team is also on hand to advise on how to make business premises Covid-secure for both customers and staff, and have assisted numerous businesses over the past few months to adapt to the rules and continue to trade safely.
Two Trafford businesses owners were this week featured on the BBC One Breakfast programme and praised the Council for their help during the coronavirus pandemic. Chris Herbert owner of The Hive, in Stretford and Sian Absalom, from John's Diner in Trafford Park, thanked the Council for their 'brilliant' support.
Cllr Tom Ross, Trafford Council’s Executive member for Finance and Governance, said:
“This has been an incredibly challenging year for so many businesses – in particular those in the retail and hospitality sector and their supply chains – and as a Council we are determined to do as much as possible to support them and enable them to trade safely.
If any business has not yet contacted us to ensure they are receiving all the Council assistance available we would urge them to do so. Our teams are here to help and to make sure that every business eligible for financial support receives it.
We’d like to thank all the business owners and staff who have worked with such resilience over the past nine months to adapt to changing rules and requirements and continue trading and providing services to Trafford residents through such difficult times.”
For further information on support available, please contact Trafford Council’s Strategic Growth Team on business@trafford.gov.uk.
For advice about making businesses Covid-secure please contact environmental.health@trafford.gov.uk.
More information for businesses can be found on the Council website.
Posted on Monday 21st December 2020