Lockdown: Sidmouth businesses forced to close can apply for up to £3k

Sidmouth businesses forced to close during the second lockdown can claim a grant of up to £3,000 thanks to council funds.

The town's chamber of commerce has welcomed the news, as it will help so many facing challenges.

The Local Restrictions Support Grant (LSRG) has launched for East Devon businesses which have been forced to close from November 5 until December 2.

The Government's list of business types which must close includes businesses providing non-essential retail, personal care facilities, hospitality venues and leisure/entertainment.

The amount of grant funding business owners can claim depend on the current rateable value (RV) of their premises.

- Premises with an RV of £15k and under will receive £1,334.

- Those with an RV over £15K and below £51K will receive £2,000.

- Premises with an RV over £51k will receive £3,000.

Payment of this grant covers a four week period. A further grant of the same amount can be claimed if the national restrictions are extended for a further four-week period.

A spokesperson for Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce said: "Once again the second lockdown is affecting many businesses in the town, therefore we welcome any additional financial support available and encourage businesses to apply as soon as possible for these grants.

"Many of our independent retailers (non essential) on the High Street, face many challenges and competition, whilst supermarkets and garden centres remain open selling similar products, they are being forced to remain closed."

Eligible businesses can now apply for these grants. East Devon District Council (EDDC) will also be writing directly to businesses to raise awareness of the scheme.

Councillor Paul Hayward, EDDC's deputy leader and portfolio holder for economy and assets, said: "I am extremely happy that EDDC is able to offer support to those businesses directly affected by the latest national Covid-19 restrictions.

"I would urge all those organisations who receive a letter from us to respond as quickly as possible so that claims can be processed without delay and funds made available to those in need during these difficult, and worrying, economic times.

"Our website contains full details of the scheme, together with a vast amount of additional related information to assist, support and reassure all of our residents and commercial customers.

"A further discretionary grant scheme, the Additional Restrictions Grant, will be available towards the end this month.

"This will be for businesses not eligible for the LSRG but which can evidence that the current national restrictions have had a significant adverse impact on their business.

"Full details of this grant scheme will be available HERE and shared in a future East Devon business update which you can subscribe to, then choose 'business news'."

To make a claim, businesses will need their business rate bill account number - an 8 digit number which can be found on business rates bills.

To be able to process grants as quickly as possible, the council asks businesses not to contact them about the grants, but to visit the HERE to check their eligibility.

Council officers will be working as quickly as possible to process the claims and cannot respond to each business with updates, so everyone has been asked to remain patient.