News and Views

A new discretionary grant fund has been introduced by the UK Government to help more small businesses impacted by COVID-19.

Grants will be available for some firms in Cumbria which have been outside of the scope of existing grants’ criteria, mainly the Small Business and Retail Leisure and Hospitality Grants. Each of the District Council's are in charge of administering this scheme locally.

Local authorities across the country have each been allocated different amounts of Government funding, and it is recognised that each area will have its own individual economic make-up and needs. 

Applications for the discretionary grant scheme open on Monday 1st June 2020.  The first application window closes at midnight on Sunday 14th June 2020. Applications after this date may not be considered.

Further information from Government on the scheme can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-coronavirus-local-authority-discretionary-grants-fund. 

Information from the Local Authorities on how to apply is either already live, or expected on the following websites shortly: 

• Allerdale Borough Council
• Barrow Borough Council
• Carlisle City Council
• Copeland Borough Council
• Eden District Council
• South Lakeland District Council

A spokesperson on behalf of the Cumbrian Councils, said: “We are genuinely grateful that Central Government has enabled local Councils to be able to support their areas with further business grants. In Cumbria alone, we have provided grants totalling over £160 million since the pandemic struck.

"It’s also reassuring to know that Government has listened and acted upon partners’ calls to include those businesses who may have not met the criteria for the scheme. Initially ruling out those who were eligible for the Self-employed Income Support Scheme could have led to many of our most affected businesses missing out through no fault of their own.

"Unfortunately we realise that a number of our businesses may still not be eligible and the finance provided won’t support all those in need. We will continue our dialogue with Government to ensure our Cumbrian businesses get the vital help they need.”