First business payments out today for Rossendale firms

Rossendale Borough Council has started to send out Government grant payments to local businesses affected by the coronavirus.

Following the package of support announced by the Government for those affected by the restrictions and closures put in place in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Council contacted businesses to promote access to the grant, and received the funds from Government on Wednesday, 1^st April in order to pay the grant.

The Council also received some previously unannounced further guidance from Government to prevent fraudulent claims.  By Friday, 3^rd April 2020, the full guidance had not been received by councils across the country.

Nevertheless, the Council took a decision on Friday, April 3^rd to set up a manual system to start paying the grants to local businesses and the first grants are being paid out today with more to follow in the week.

All businesses need to do is fill in the form and return it.  We will look to pay each business as soon as we receive their completed form. Be assured we are keen and able to pay any business due a grant.

Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said:

We know this is a very worrying time for businesses and we are pulling out all the stops to help and processing these payments as fast as we can. If you haven’t already applied please fill in the form and we will help in any way we can.”

For more information on the premises covered, please see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/875613/Expanded_Retail_Discount_Guidance_25.03.20.doc.pdf

Businesses do not need to do anything regarding the NNDR relief, this will be automatically rolled out.

Businesses will need to complete the additional information form to access the grant https://www.rossendale.gov.uk/info/210167/emergencies_and_safety/10860/coronavirus_update/2

Rossendale Borough Council is dedicated to supporting all our local businesses through these challenging and unprecedented times.

Businesses can access a range of support from the Council to help them through this difficult time:

Government Grants for businesses in response to Coronavirus Covid-19

The Government has announced two grant funding schemes – The Small Business Grant Fund and The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

These schemes are funded by Central Government. The qualifying criteria are set by the Government. Detailed Guidance on qualification can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-business-support-grant-funding