Northumberland tops the table for business grants paid out

23 Apr 2020 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Find out more about the grants here

Figures released by Government this week show that Northumberland is in the top four authorities in the country for the amount of grant paid out to small businesses to support them during the Covid-19 crisis.

Northumberland County Council has so far paid out £63,875,000 to 5,667 eligible companies, and is calling on others who may meet the criteria to come forward as soon as possible.

According to Cabinet Office figures the council has now paid out the fourth highest value of grants in England, after only Durham, Leeds and Cornwall.

£6.11 billion has been paid out nationally to 491,725 business properties, however this represents only around half of the grant funding that has been allocated.

In Northumberland around 75% of eligible businesses have claimed but it is estimated that a further 1,500 may be able to gain a grant.

Cllr Peter Jackson, leader of council, said: “I am extremely pleased that so many businesses have been able to benefit from these grants, and that our team have been able to pay out so much funding so quickly.  

“There are still businesses out there who we believe are eligible, and I urge anyone who runs a small business and hasn’t been in touch with us yet to do so. Funding is available and once we confirm that you meet the criteria we will process your case as quickly as we can.

“Our Business Hub is helping hundreds of companies and employers across Northumberland and we are working closely with Government to gain more support where it is needed.”

Earlier this month, Government Secretary of State for Communities, Robert Jenrick, praised Northumberland for being one of the top councils in the amount of funding it has paid out, saying: “I congratulate all of them, and all of the other councils around the country who are working tirelessly to get these grants to those who need them.”

The Small Business Grants Fund is a £10,000 grant per business which on 11 March this year was eligible for relief under the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme or the Rural Rate Relief Scheme.

The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund is for those that were eligible on 11 March for a discount under the Expanded Retail Discount scheme and have a rateable value of less than £51,000.  Eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000 while eligible businesses with a property that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000.

Grants are provided in respect of each property operated from and therefore businesses with multiple outlets could receive more than one grant and may receive grants from separate local authorities.

Northumberland County Council will be attempting to contact the businesses which it believes might be eligible in the coming days. 

Full details including guidance on eligibility criteria are available on the council’s Business Hub web pages at www.northumberland.gov.uk/BusinessHub

On the Business Hub pages you will also find details of further support for business, and how to get in touch if you need help.

Find out more about the grants here