Discretionary Business Grant Fund

Stratford-on-Avon District Council has been allocated an additional £1.6million to support businesses across the district as part of the Government's Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund.

The scheme aims to provide support for businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to the Small Business Grant and the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Funds, which remain open for eligible ratepayers to apply who have not yet claimed.

The scheme will provide support to businesses that fall into a number of main priority areas:

• • Bed & Breakfasts which pay Council Tax
  • Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces
  • Regular market traders with fixed building costs
  • Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief

The District Council is also accepting applications from other Businesses significantly affected by COVID-19 who:

• • are suppliers reliant on the retail hospitality and leisure industry who were not included within the original scheme
  • have a Rateable Value greater than £15k but are outside of the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors
  • have a Rateable Value marginally greater than £51k but could be considered as a small business
  • are a Small Business who are not eligible for Small Business Rate Relief as they occupy a second property with a combined value below £15k
  • are a business unique to the tourism sector within the Stratford District.

Applications open on Monday 8 June with a deadline for applications by Friday 26 June using the online form, with payments being made the week commencing 29 June.

Cllr Jo Barker, People Portfolio says: "The District Council has already paid out almost £30million in grant funding to local businesses and we hope this funding will support some of those who were not eligible under the first scheme.

"We know this is a really difficult time for many businesses across our district. We have worked to bring together a scheme which covers the key criteria, as set by the government, and also allow for a number of businesses and charities in particular who have previously missed out on funding to benefit this time round. It's not a big pot of money, but we're committed to making sure there's help and support to all our businesses.

"I would encourage all businesses and charities to make themselves familiar with the eligibility criteria and what they need to fill in for a successful application ahead of the launch of the scheme next week."