Help available for Gloucester businesses severely financially impacted by Covid-19

Gloucester City Council is urging non-essential businesses including retail mandated to close, hospitality, accommodation, gym, leisure centres, hairdressers and nail salons severely financially impacted by Covid during the current lockdown to find out if they are eligible for government support.

The city council has been distributing grants to businesses who qualify under a range of grants that are be made available by government to meet the evolving situation.

Businesses which receive a business rates bill and had to close during the November and January lockdowns or hospitality businesses, hotels, bed and breakfasts, those in leisure and events or the direct supply chain for these businesses who remained open but with reduced trading during the November and January lockdowns, who have not yet submitted a grant application for that period, are encouraged to do so. The application window for the November and January lockdown grants will close on 31 March 2021.

The re-opening of non-essential businesses is currently planned for 12 April as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

The government recently announced new ‘restart grants’ will be available to help with the re-opening of local businesses. Business owners will be able to apply for these new ‘restart grants’ from next month.

For more information about the grants that are available visit the Council’s website.

Cllr Dawn Melvin, cabinet member for economic recovery and growth, said: “As Covid-19 restrictions will slowly be lifted in the coming weeks as part of the government’s planned roadmap out of lockdown; it’s important we start to get the economy back up and running.

“I know many businesses in the city are struggling to deal with the challenges of the pandemic and the effect it has had on our local economy. I hope these grants go some way to helping those who need them and urge anyone who thinks they are eligible to apply as soon as possible.”