Warrington Sports Club recently received the good news that it’s application for grant funding has been approved by the Council for it to operate after coronavirus.
Thanks to a new Government discretionary fund that was set up to accommodate small businesses previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme, the club will receive a grant to keep providing a critical community service to its 800 members.
MP for Warrington South Andy Carter welcomed the good news and is encouraging other struggling businesses to apply to:
It is great to hear that the funds will reach the club in good time, we cannot allow hubs like this in Warrington to fall victim to coronavirus as they make up an essential part of our community.
Following lobbying with the Government, myself and other colleagues managed to have some changes made to the criteria for the business grants scheme. This will massively help those small businesses who have been hit by coronavirus but might have otherwise fallen through the cracks.
I’d encourage businesses across Warrington South to check the criteria to see if you are eligible and to get in touch if you are having any issues.
Grants will be awarded based on submitted evidence of actual property-related costs incurred by applicants, including rent, service charges, contribution to landlord rates and other specified property costs, as well as evidence of loss of income due to Covid-19.
Whilst the government has given guidance on who is applicable (see below), local authorities have ultimate discretion to give business, charities and societies grants of up to £25,000.
The government has set out clear criteria on eligibility and the fund is therefore available to the following types of businesses in Warrington South:
- Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces which do not have their own business rates assessment will receive up to 6 month’s actual/forecast property costs, capped at £10,000 per applicant.
- Regular market traders with fixed property costs, that do not have their own business rates assessment will receive up to 6 months actual/forecast property costs, capped at £2,500 per applicant.
- Bed and breakfasts which pay council tax instead of business rates will receive up to 6 months actual/forecast property costs, capped at £3,000 per applicant.
- Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief will receive up to 6 months actual/forecast property costs, capped at £10,000 per applicant.
Businesses who have applied for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will also be eligible to apply for this scheme, but those who have already received support from the Small Business Grant Fund; Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund; Self-employed Income Support Scheme or other Government coronavirus support schemes will not be able to apply.
Applications for the Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund must be made online by Monday 22 June 2020. For further information and how to apply, visit the Council website at:
