Hartlepool businesses urged to apply for Covid grants without delay - see which are eligible

Hartlepool Borough Council says it is keen to distribute government funding it has been given as soon as possible.

Grants are available for businesses that have been forced to close.

Councillor Shane Moore, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Many local businesses are in a battle for survival and need every bit of help they can get.

“Time is of the essence and we want to ensure that this help gets to businesses meeting the criteria without delay.

"I would urge businesses who think they qualify for help to fill in the online application form so that we can confirm their eligibility and ensure correct payment.”

The Local Restrictions Support Grants (Closed) scheme, covers businesses required to close, or substantially close, during the period of national restrictions or under Local Covid-19 Alert level ‘Very High’ (Tier 3) restrictions.

They include non-essential retail such as clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, and market stalls selling non-essential goods.

Hospitality, leisure and entertainment businesses including pubs, cafes, restaurants, social clubs, gyms, dance studios, theatres, museums and amusement arcades also come under the scheme.

Personal care facilities such as hair, beauty, tanning, nail salons, tattoo parlours; community centres and places of worship could also receive grants.

A Local Restrictions Support Grants (Open), scheme covers hospitality, accommodation and leisure businesses that were open but severely impacted by Tier 2 Covid restrictions although it does not operate during national lockdowns.

The Government is also providing an Additional Restrictions Grant to support the wider business community affected by the pandemic.

One-off fixed funding will be provided to the council to provide support in the current financial year and continued support into 2021/22 if required.

The scheme is currently being developed and further details will be announced shortly.

Details of a number of other government support packages for businesses can be found at www.gov.uk

More information about the various grant schemes and qualifying criteria can be found at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/covid-business-grants

Alternatively, email [email protected] or call (01429) 284277.

An application form for the closed businesses grants is available at www.hartlepool.gov.uk/closedbusinessgrant

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