New additional restriction grant launches

Hastings Borough Council has finalised its additional restrictions grant scheme for businesses, and applications are now open.

This scheme is a discretionary scheme, which means that although the funding has been provided by the Government, the council has put the scheme together and decided the eligibility criteria.

This funding is for certain businesses who are not eligible for the Local Restriction Support Grant and there is only a limited amount of funding available for this scheme.

Details about eligibility for the grant, as well as how to apply, can be found on www.hastings.gov.uk/arg

Cllr Peter Chowney, lead councillor for Financial Management and Estates said,

"Whilst distributing funding for the Government's business support scheme, we have also been working hard to develop this discretionary scheme to help even more businesses within the borough.

"We have devised criteria that we think are relevant for the local area. We want to help as many businesses as possible that were directly impacted by the recent restrictions but did not qualify for the Government's standard local restriction support grant. It's so important to support our local businesses especially at such an important time of year for them.

"We do only have a limited amount of funding and the Government has told us that this has to last until April 2022, but we hope to support as many businesses as we can with it. This is an initial support scheme for the national lockdown period, and we will be working on a further support package for businesses.

"Before applying for this scheme, local businesses should check they are not eligible for the original local restriction support grant scheme. You can go to our website to find more information."