Fylde businesses that have missed out on Government coronavirus funding could qualify for new council aid scheme

It has started a new scheme to support businesses in the borough that have suffered significant losses as a result of the COVID 19 lcokdown.

Smaller businesses not previously eligible for government funding so far may be able to get a grant of up to £10,000 under the government-funded Local Authority Discretionary Business Grant Fund.

The council said it would prioritise small businesses in shared offices or other flexible work places which do not have their own business rates assessment.

It will also consider applications from short term holiday lets or B&B’s that pay domestic council tax instead of business rates, locally based charities receiving charitable business rate relief and regular market traders without business rates assessment but with fixed building costs.

Businesses must have less than fifty employees, pay fixed property-related costs, and be able to show that they have suffered a significant loss due to the coronavirus crisis.

Councillor Karen Buckley, acting Fylde Council Leader, said: “Supporting small businesses in Fylde is a key part of the economic recovery process. Once we received the go-ahead from central Government, we worked quickly to create an approved policy from which many businesses will now be able to benefit.

“We are proud of the wide range of small businesses that operate in Fylde and we look forward to being able to offer this additional support to as many as possible in the current crisis.”

She said the fund was limited and businesses should apply by Monday, June 8. All applications will be assesses against the criteria. If there is any money left over, there may be another round of applications later in the summer.