Date issued: 30 March 2020
Colchester Borough Council has been given £42 million by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support local businesses from 1 April 2020, as part of the Government’s response to COVID-19. The money has been given for the award of Business Grants, which the council will distribute as widely as possible.
The council is currently working hard to identify all those who may be eligible for the Small Business and Retail Grants. Teams are calling, texting, emailing and writing to businesses depending on the contact information the council currently holds.
The Small Business Grant will award eligible businesses with £10,000. The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant will award eligible businesses with either £10,000 or £25,000 depending on their rateable value. Details on the grants and to see if a business is eligible are provided on the council’s new digital information directory, www.colchester.gov.uk/coronavirus.
The directory is updated daily with vital information for residents and businesses to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
Councillor David King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Resources, said: “It is great news that we now have up to £42m to help our businesses. We know how important it is that we get payments out as fast as possible, in the next few days, to ensure businesses receive the support they desperately need.
“We will play our full part to ensure they are all aware of the range of support available and get help swiftly out to them when we can.
“The coming months will be difficult, but we will do all we can to support them through to better times.”
The Government has also announced emergency extensions to Retail Relief for businesses, providing 100% Business Rates Relief for 12 months from 1 April 2020. The council has amended bills, where possible, and the relief has automatically been applied. Eligible businesses will begin to receive their new Business Rates bill this week.
If you feel the council may not have the most up-to-date contact details for your business or you have a question about the eligibility for the Grants or Relief, please email businessrates@colchester.gov.uk.
Page last reviewed: 30 March 2020