More than 900 businesses in East Northamptonshire have now received over £10.3m in grants through the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant.
The grants, each worth either £10,000 or £25,000, come from central Government and have so far been distributed to 913 companies by East Northamptonshire Council, providing vital support for organisations across the district during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cllr Steven North, Leader of East Northamptonshire Council said: “I’m relieved to see that so many businesses have already received their grant and I want to thank the council’s Business Rates team for working hard to get this much needed support out there. This really is just the beginning and we now need businesses who feel they are eligible to receive the grant to contact us urgently and apply.
“There has been some misunderstanding that this is a loan and will need to be paid back. This is not true, all monies distributed are a grant and no company will be expected to pay anything back, so please don’t be put off applying. We want to help as many businesses as we can to ensure the district has a prosperous economic future.”
All businesses identified by ENC have been contacted via either email or post to the business address. If a business in the district hasn’t already been contacted by ENC, they are advised to contact customerservices@east-northamptonshire.gov.uk for further details and assistance.
Any business that doesn’t fit the criteria set by the Government to receive a grant, are advised to contact SEMLEP, a regional dedicated gateway adviser who can talk through your business needs, at growthhub@semlep.com or call 01604 212696.
Business owners should keep up-to-date with the Government guidance at www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/ or contact their dedicated Business Support Helpline at www.gov.uk/business-support-helpline or on 0300 456 3565 or 01604 212 696.
Picture credit:Fabian Blank