MORE THAN £6million in grants has been paid out to businesses across Wychavon to support them throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Now the district council is urging eligible businesses affected by COVID-19 to register online so grants can be paid out quickly.
Grants of either £10,000 or £25,000 have been sent to more than 500 eligible businesses in the district, including restaurants, barbers and engineering companies.
The council started its payments on Friday and is advising businesses that have successfully registered to check their bank accounts regularly but to allow a few days for the money to go in.
Businesses in receipt of small business rate relief should be eligible for the £10,000 grant.
The larger grant is for businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors which have a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000.
Esther Weetman from Fladbury Flowers in Pershore said: “I am so relieved the grant is on the way – as a new partnership business, we don’t meet the criteria for support for the self employed, so the grant will go a long way to keeping us afloat.
“Our landlord has been very understanding too, and I’m really grateful for his support. With everyone playing their part, we will all get through this”.
Wychavon District Council leader Coun Bradley Thomas said firms can be paid quickly if they register online.
“We estimate that 1,000 businesses in the district are yet to register.
“Our local businesses are vital to our community and we want to ensure they receive financial support so they can get back on their feet as soon as possible and continue trading.”
Business owners should visit wychavon.gov.uk/coronavirus to register.
