Leeds City Council delivers extra support for businesses affected by COVID-19 restrictions

Businesses struggling to cope with the effects of COVID-19 restrictions have been handed new sources of funding support by Leeds City Council.

The council has already awarded more than 2,100 grants worth a combined £3.39m to businesses in the city forced to close due to the latest national measures designed to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Now two more business support schemes have been launched that will deliver additional help in Leeds.

One is aimed at hospitality venues and accommodation providers that have suffered financially as a result of the local restrictions introduced in the city on September 25.

The other is intended to help businesses cover fixed non-domestic property costs such as mortgage payments, rent and service charges.

Applications for the property costs grants opened today, Wednesday, November 25, with an initial two-week window to December 8 available for people to make a claim. Businesses that are home-based or have property costs under £4,000 a year do not qualify for these grants. However, the council is working on a scheme that will offer assistance to home-based businesses, with details due to be announced as soon as possible. As has been well documented, some self-employed people have found it difficult to access income support during the crisis and it is this group that the council will be endeavouring to help with the next stage of its grants package.

The national restrictions scheme for businesses required to close under the country-wide lockdown that began on November 5 also remains open for applications.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“We appreciate that these are extremely difficult times for businesses affected by the pandemic and the council is determined to do everything it can to provide support.

“The funding schemes have been put in place to ensure as many people as possible have access to the help they need.

“I would encourage all businesses across the city to check what is on offer and, if eligible, submit an application for a grant.”

For further information about the schemes and links to the online application process, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/business.

Eligible businesses can ask for help from all three funds and could receive as much as £10,000 across the board.

ENDS