Phase 2 of discretionary fund to open for Cheshire East businesses

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.

The council has completed the first phase of the scheme which closed on June 15.

It received more than 450 applications from small business which are currently being assessed.

The second phase will be open for two weeks to allow businesses to apply for funding.

This phase will close at 8am on July 10.

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.

This phase will be open to:

* Local independent retail, hospitality and leisure businesses occupying premises with a rateable value in excess of £20,000
* Bed & breakfasts which pay council tax instead of business rates
* Charity properties in receipt of charitable rate relief which would otherwise have been eligible for small business rate relief or rural rate relief
* Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces that do not pay business rates with annual rental costs of between £3,000 and £51,000
* Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment
* Any other business that has a rateable value of up to £20,000.

Grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 may be awarded.

In line with government guidance, it is anticipated many grants will be below £10,000 to ensure the fund can benefit a larger number of businesses.

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.

Some of the criteria are that businesses:

· 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

· Can clearly evidence drop-in income due to Covid-19 of in excess of £750 for March 1-31 May

· Able to clearly evidence and identify ongoing fixed business property-related costs, for business premises in Cheshire East, in excess of £750 for the period 1 March – 31 May

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.

“Local enterprise is an integral component within local regeneration schemes across the borough.

“It is important to kickstart these businesses in order to escalate revenue and rebuild consumer confidence.”

More information, including a full list of criteria and evidence required before an application can be submitted, can be found by visiting www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/covidDGS

All applications submitted within this phase with adequate supporting information will be considered in order of receipt, and grants awarded subject to funds remaining.