Cheshire East Council is to launch the second phase of the local discretionary grant scheme, which will open for applications at 8am on Friday June 26.<\/p>\n
The council has completed the first phase of the scheme which closed on June 15.<\/p>\n
It received more than 450 applications from small business which are currently being assessed.<\/p>\n
The second phase will be open for two weeks to allow businesses to apply for funding.<\/p>\n
This phase will close at 8am on July 10.<\/p>\n
It aims to support a wider range of businesses, including some of those not eligible in the first phase and the government’s small business grant and retail, hospitality and leisure grant schemes.<\/p>\n
This phase will be open to:<\/p>\n
* Local independent retail, hospitality and leisure businesses occupying premises with a rateable value in excess of \u00a320,000
\n* Bed & breakfasts which pay council tax instead of business rates
\n* Charity properties in receipt of charitable rate relief which would otherwise have been eligible for small business rate relief or rural rate relief
\n* Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces that do not pay business rates with annual rental costs of between \u00a33,000 and \u00a351,000
\n* Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment
\n* Any other business that has a rateable value of up to \u00a320,000.<\/p>\n
Grants of between \u00a32,500 and \u00a325,000 may be awarded.<\/p>\n
In line with government guidance, it is anticipated many grants will be below \u00a310,000 to ensure the fund can benefit a larger number of businesses.<\/p>\n
The revised policy, agreed on June 22, has eligibility criteria including mandatory requirements set by government, which businesses will need to review before they apply.<\/p>\n
Some of the criteria are that businesses:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Have fewer than 50 employees and meet requirements of being a small business as defined in Section 33 Part 2 of the Small Business. Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, and the Companies Act 2006<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Can clearly evidence drop-in income due to Covid-19 of in excess of \u00a3750 for March 1-31 May<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Able to clearly evidence and identify ongoing fixed business property-related costs, for business premises in Cheshire East, in excess of \u00a3750 for the period 1 March – 31 May<\/p>\n
Cllr Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: “The grant will offer a lifeline to smaller businesses which have high ongoing property costs, struggling as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
“Local enterprise is an integral component within local regeneration schemes across the borough.<\/p>\n
“It is important to kickstart these businesses in order to escalate revenue and rebuild consumer confidence.”<\/p>\n