Harrogate businesses could be in line for further financial support as more grants have been announced by the government.
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, unveiled a one-off top up grant of up to £9,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses amid the national lockdown.
The funding comes as part of a £4.6 billion package and the grants will be based on the rateable value of each business.
The government expects the grants will help to support more than 600,000 businesses.
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Mr Sunak also announced a further £594 million worth of discretionary funding for local authorities to target those who will not be eligible for the grant but might be affected by the lockdown.
He said:
“The new strain of the virus presents us all with a huge challenge – and whilst the vaccine is being rolled out, we have needed to tighten restrictions further.
“Throughout the pandemic we’ve taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and today we’re announcing a further cash injection to support businesses and jobs until the Spring.
“This will help businesses to get through the months ahead – and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen.”
It comes as businesses in the district reacted to the announcement of a further national lockdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday evening that a new lockdown would come into force, with a stay at home order.
Sandra Doherty, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said the measures would be difficult but were necessary to reduce transmission until the vaccination took effect. She said:
“It’s going to be incredibly tough for all businesses over the coming months, and sadly not all will survive into the spring.
“Until we can resume life as we knew it in pre-covid days, the Government is going to have to continue its support to businesses, and extend it to those self-employed people who have so far not received any financial help at all.”
