Harrogate Borough Council has announced a £2.3 million new scheme to support smaller businesses in the district such as charities and bed and breakfasts.
The discretionary grant aims to help those businesses that may have previously missed out on other coronavirus grants. The government allowed grants of up to £25,000 to be offered, but the council has capped this at £10,000 to help as many businesses as possible.
As a discretionary grant the council has more input into the final decision process, in comparison to previous grants offered during the crisis.
In particular, B&B owners are hoped to benefit from the scheme. The eligibility criteria also includes charities and small businesses including those in shared offices and flexible workspaces. The businesses must have been trading before 11 March 2020 and have fewer than 50 employees.
One bed and breakfast owner from the Harrogate District, who wanted to stay anonymous, said:
I’ve had no income since the second week of March and there are things we have to continue paying for so if we got any money it would mean I don’t have to pay it all. This grant is the difference between re-opening soon or being unable to.”
B&B’s are still awaiting formal notice that they can re-open, but before then grants allow them to secure some income.
Read more:
- The council have been given over £140,000 from the government to re-open the high street.
- Harrogate charity, Wellsprings therapy and training, have launched a fundraising appeal to help more people in need during lockdown.
Kimberley Wilson, the chairman of accommodation Harrogate, said:
“In Harrogate most bed and breakfasts were covered by the initial grant. We are hoping the few that weren’t covered will now be able to access this discretionary grant to help their business in the future”.
