£1.8 million of government funding is now available to support small businesses in the Chichester District, which were previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme.
This additional funding is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs. The new scheme prioritises businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates.
Businesses must be small – with less than 50 employees – and they must also be able to demonstrate that they have seen a significant drop in income due to coronavirus restriction measures.
There will be three levels of grant payments, with the maximum amounting to £25,000.
“The business grant funds scheme has made a huge difference to thousands of our local businesses. However, there have been businesses which have been disappointed because they have previously been outside the scope of the original scheme. This is why we are so pleased that the government has provided a further £1.8 million to support these particular businesses that still have ongoing fixed property-related costs,” says Cllr Peter Wilding, Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Services and Revenues and Benefits at Chichester District Council.
“We would encourage anyone who feels that they may qualify for this new funding to apply on our website from Monday 1 June at https://www.chichester.gov.uk/businessratesmarch2020. If people wish to register their interest before this time, they can visit the same web page, leave their details and our team will get back to them.”
Further information on the scheme and how to apply: https://www.chichester.gov.uk/businessratesmarch2020
