Almost £4 million has already been awarded to businesses in Allerdale, including many in Keswick and the North Lakes, which are being affected by coronavirus.
The money has been paid to 338 businesses via grants and other financial support administered by Allerdale Borough Council since the emergency help was announced last week by the Government.
So far, 1,193 applications have been received for business support grant and other newly-available financial help at the council’s Workington headquarters, with a total of £3.9 million swiftly being paid out across the borough.
The figures went up to yesterday (Wednesday 1st April) and will rise as some businesses still need to apply for the support and via the Allerdale Borough Council website: Coronavirus Covid-19 business support grants.
Cllr Jim Lister, Allerdale’s executive member for finance and legal, said: “We know that many businesses are going through a tough time at the moment, so I commend the work of Allerdale’s officers in getting these applications dealt with so quickly. If you’ve already submitted your application, then we will process it as soon as possible. Our team is working extremely hard.”
One grant provides businesses receiving small business rate relief or rural rate relief with a grant of £10,000. The maximum rateable value limit is £15,000.
The second scheme provides support for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. This offers £10,000 for businesses with property with a rateable value of up to £15,000, which do not receive small business rate relief or rural rate relief – and £25,000 for businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,001 and £50,999.
