Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0FR

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

 

ISSUED 24 April 2020

 

 

Small businesses urged to claim unpaid grants

 

Small businesses across Hinckley and Bosworth are being urged to claim £4.3 million of unpaid business grant support that is available from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council to help them during the coronavirus crisis.

 

Nearly 1,500 businesses have already received a share of £22 million in emergency support and more businesses are set to get funding.

 

Ever since the announcement of the funding, teams at the council have contacted hundreds of businesses to pull together the information required to issue the grants in the borough, a process that is still ongoing.

 

However business owners worried that they might have missed this contact or may not have provided up to date contact details or a mobile number are now being asked to contact the council directly by telephoning 01455 238141.

 

To receive a small business grant you are eligible if your property is registered for business rates and is a:

• shop
• restaurant, café, bar or pub
• cinema or live music venue
• assembly or leisure property – for example, a sports club, a gym or a spa
• hospitality property – for example, a hotel, a guest house or self-catering accommodation
• letting or estate agents

All businesses in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief will be eligible for a payment of £10,000.

 

Local businesses who have already been awarded their grants commented that they have been helpful during this unprecedented time.

 

Richard Fahrey, from RJF Property Maintenance said “Just to update you I received government business grant today…Can’t tell you what a relief it was and helps keep my business going which I set up 10 years ago. Thank you to you and all your staff for your help and support.”

 

Ewemove Estate Agents in Hinckley posted on their social media page “I just wanted to shout out Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Hinckley BID for their proactive, prompt and courteous attitude during what must be an incredibly difficult time for them. Being a small business, I was fortunate enough to qualify for some financial support. They contacted me rather than the other way around (including a really pleasant phone call from the council) and in less than 2 weeks I have received the money into my account, enabling me to keep my business going whilst I have very little income. Great to see our Council doing what they can to assist our businesses.”

Leader of the Council, Councillor Stuart Bray said “We have awarded more than £17.5 million in the last few weeks to help to help protect businesses and jobs in the local area. Understandably, this period of disruption caused by the coronavirus lockdown has hit businesses hard and we are working to ensure those businesses which are eligible for funding receive it as quickly as possible. We urge local businesses to contact us to ensure that they receive the funding they deserve and are eligible for.

 

“I must take this opportunity of thanking all the staff involved for working so hard during this difficult time, working at weekends and the Easter bank holiday to ensure that these monies are distributed. Without them it would not be possible.”

 

To find out more about business support visit https://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/coronavirus