Discretionary Grant Scheme Application Deadline Extended

Small and micro businesses and charities across the East Riding who have not qualified for Government funding so far during the COVID-19 pandemic have been given more time to apply for grants of up to £25,000.

Businesses that share a workplace, B&Bs that pay council tax, market traders who have fixed property costs and charity properties could all be eligible to apply for funding through the Government-backed discretionary grant scheme.

The fund is limited to £4million and grants of either £25,000, £10,000 or up to £10,000 are available to those eligible businesses or charities that are able to demonstrate they have on-going property costs, have suffered significant loss of income during the lockdown and have been unable to claim from the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Fund.

A second phase of the scheme will be launched later this month and will target those businesses who did not qualify for phase one and who the council identifies as a local priority.

For those businesses who have already applied for grants, applications forms are being verified and payments will be made as soon as possible.

Councillor Richard Burton, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:

“The council is aware there many small and micro businesses and charities across the East Riding who have not been eligible for financial support from the Government but there is financial help available via this scheme.

“The deadline for applying for the grants has been extended so I would urge those businesses who haven’t accessed financial support to check the eligibility criteria to see if they qualify for a grant.”

The closing date for phase one applications is Sunday, 21 June and is limited to one application per business, sole trader or charity.

For more information, details of the criteria for the discretionary grants as well as the application form go to www.eastriding.gov.uk/discretionarygrantscheme

* Businesses across the East Riding looking for more advice and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic, or for any other general business support enquiries can contact the council’s business support team by emailing startup.business@eastriding.gov.uk