Harrogate coronavirus recovery plan launched - and businesses urged to apply for cash grants

And the authority is urging eligible businesses which are missing out on coronavirus cash grants to apply for help.

In March, the council was given just over £50million in government grants and business rates relief packages to tide firms over the impact of the virus outbreak.

It has now paid out more than £45million to some 3,500 businesses.

This figure is increasing every day but there are still several hundred firms to receive their share of the cash, although many have yet to apply for help.

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Coun Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said: "There are still a number of businesses who haven’t been in touch with us, so I would urge them to do so as soon as possible."

Businesses that are in receipt of small business rate relief or rural relief will receive a £10,000 grant.

Hospitality and leisure businesses, with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000, will receive a £25,000 grant.

Retail, hospitality, leisure businesses and childcare nurseries, regardless of rateable value, will also not pay any business rates in 2020/2021.

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Councillor Swift said: “Council officers are now exploring how best to provide support to accelerate a strong economic recovery plan across the district once the national lockdown is ended.”

He added: “As soon as government announced these grants would be available, we took immediate action to ensure they were distributed as quickly as possible, drafting in additional staff where necessary to accelerate the grant process.

“I’d like to thank those who have made this happen so quickly and I’m delighted to announce that more £45million of local support has now been provided.

"We have received really positive feedback from local businesses who have received their grants as these monies are providing important relief during a very stressful period."

More information and a form for businesses to complete is available at www.harrogate.gov.uk/covid19grants

Businesses do not need to apply via third-party organisations as there might be a charge for doing so.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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