More than 1,000 Stafford firms receive up to £25k in coronavirus support payments
Around £16.5 million has been paid out to small businesses across Stafford as part of a Government-backed package of help during the Covid-19 crisis.
More than 1,000 businesses have already received payments of up to £25,000 – and the council expects those remaining will have the money paid into their bank accounts by the end of the month.
Grants of up to £25,000 are available for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with rateable values between £15,000 and £51,000. And £10,000 is going to those entitled to small business rate relief.
The team at Stafford Borough Council has been working through weekends – including the Easter bank holiday - so they could process more payments for some of the 2,200 local businesses who were eligible to receive part of the £27 million funding package.
Many businesses received the money directly with the local authority using bank details from business rates payments. But the council has urged others, who are eligible, to fill in their forms accurately, with the required supporting evidence, to ensure securing the funds. The council say failure to supply the necessary information had led to a delay in payments being made.
The form can be found at staffordbc.gov.uk/financial-support-businesses-and-employers
Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for resources, said it had been a huge task to make sure everyone got the money they were entitled to.
He said: “Officers from across the council are going above and beyond in so many ways to help businesses and residents in these difficult circumstances. And a good example of that is people working through the weekend so businesses would get this money as soon as possible.
“These are extremely tough times for our businesses and this money may be the difference between them surviving or going under - and vital to protecting jobs.”
He added: “I’d urge businesses to make sure they have accurately filled in and supplied us with all the relevant documentation so we can get payments to them quickly.”
Larger businesses, with a turnover of no more than £45m and needing access to cash to help with immediate business costs, can apply to a separate government scheme being administered by the banking industry. This scheme offers loans of up to £5m, with no interest due in the first 12 months.
The council has a dedicated page with more information about support and grants for businesses at staffordbc.gov.uk/business-support-coronavirus
