A further government support grant is set to provide a boost for Sheffield’s small businesses.
In Rishi Sunak’s Spring budget, he announced that Covid-19 support grants for businesses – which have been available since the pandemic began – are being extended until the end of March.
The extension will be applied automatically for businesses who have previously been receiving the support. Businesses who have not yet received a government grant are encouraged to apply for the financial support by 31 March.
“It’s so important that as we enter another month in lockdown we ensure that businesses continue to have access to the right support to sustain them until our economy begins to reopen” Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment at Sheffield City Council told SheffNews.
Creative Commons: Adam Bruderer
“So far throughout the pandemic we have distributed millions of grants to businesses and we are now one of the best-performing regions for the value of the most recent grants we have allocated” he added.
The funding is expected to continue beyond the end of March. The Government confirmed in this year’s spring budget that ‘restart grants’ will be available to businesses which were required to close during lockdown. For non-essential businesses, a loan of £6,000 will be available, and for other sectors – hospitality, accommodation and gym businesses, among others – £18,000 will be available.
“I was really surprised to learn that we were eligible for a Covid Business Support Grant but thanks to Esther Morrison, an Information Officer, at Sheffield City Council who encouraged me to apply, we gained some financial support last week.
“The process could not have been more easy and I’d really urge other small businesses to apply as this help could be a real lifeline and the difference between staying open long term and protecting local jobs,” said Sarah Roe, Sheffield Therapy Centre’s Clinic Manager told SheffNews.
Creative Commons: Tim Dennell
Sheffield Council will also be offering a range of free business workshops to support existing and newly established businesses, including one on maximising social media use during lockdown.
The extension includes Lockdown Support Grants, Supply Chain Business Support Grants, Essential Open Business Support Grants and Self-Employed and Small Business Grants.
