Shotley peninsula business owners are being urged to check what financial support might be available through the Covid-19 Business Support Grant schemes and apply before the 31 March deadline.

The Covid-19 business support grants cover different periods of national and local lockdown restrictions from November 2020 until 31 March 2021. The grants can be claimed by both businesses that have been mandated to close as well as those who were able remain open but have been significantly financially affected by lockdown restrictions.

Businesses that have not yet claimed any grants can apply retrospectively and can apply for more than one grant if they meet the criteria.

Babergh District Council is administering the national grants (Local Restriction Support Grants) which have fixed criteria set by Government as well as the Additional Restrictions Grant which is available to a wider range of businesses.

The Additional Restrictions Grant is open to non-business rate paying businesses that have been mandated to close such as mobile businesses, as well as other businesses not required to close but who have been financially impacted by ongoing lockdown restrictions.

Businesses who applied and received a national lockdown grant since November are receiving automatic payments for subsequent grants as long are their circumstances haven't changed. Any business owner who believes they are eligible but have not been contacted, or who are yet to apply for a business support grant, should submit an application form.

Applications for the Local Restrictions Support Grants and the Additional Restrictions Grant (up to 15 February 2021) must be submitted by 31 March 2021. Applications for grants covering the period between 16 February and 31 March are open until 31 May 2021.

Details about the recently announced Government Restart Grants are yet to be confirmed and business owners are advised to refer the Babergh website or social media channels for further information and application requirements.

Cllr Michael Holt, Babergh District Council's cabinet member for economic growth, said: "It is not too late for businesses to apply for the business support grants and I would encourage all business owners to review the wide range of grants to ensure they have accessed the financial support they are entitled to.

"In addition to the range of Government grants, businesses can also apply for the Additional Restrictions Grant with locally set criteria. The aim of this discretionary grant is to support those businesses who may not have been able to access other grant schemes.

"With the deadline of the 31 March for new applications, I encourage businesses to find out more about the criteria and apply."

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have paid out Local Restriction Support Grants worth almost £16m since November with a total of nearly £61m since the pandemic started and are continuing to make payments to eligible businesses in the districts.

For any queries about the Covid-19 business grants or application process, please contact: [email protected]

More information about the Covid-19 business grants and application forms can be found here: