Since sending letters to all eligible businesses last week, Plymouth City Council has received over 1,550 completed submissions for the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Fund, which offer support with grants of up to £25,000.
We are now working hard to process the requests as quickly as possible and aim to pay money directly into business bank accounts within 10 days of receipt, but we will be making the first payments this week.
We sent letters to nearly 4,000 eligible businesses, which should all have arrived by today (Tuesday 31 March). The letters contain a link to the online application and contact details for a telephone helpline, which is currently manned daily from 7am to 7pm by experienced Council staff. They have helped more than 250 businesses since Friday.
The helpline number is now publicly available on the Business Grants page for anyone who is unable to access their business address or who thinks they are eligible but has not received a letter.
Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “This is the first time we’ve done something like this and our team has worked incredibly hard to get all the necessary processes set up. We know these are extremely difficult times for business owners and our aim to get you this money as fast as is humanly possible.”
The following businesses will be helped by the scheme:
- Any business currently in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief will be eligible for a £10,000 grant.
- Any retail, hospitality or leisure business in receipt of Expanded Retail Discount with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for a grant per property based on eligibility criteria below:
- Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value of £15,000 or below will be eligible for a £10,000 grant.
- Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value above £15,000 and below £51,000 will be eligible for a £25,000 grant.
Any business who receives a letter should complete the online application form.
Find more information, contact details and FAQs on the Business Grants page.
The Invest Plymouth website and social media channels are also continually being updated with the latest information for businesses regarding Covid-19 – including sector specific advice, financial support and more.