Eligible businesses the peninsula are being urged to access grants of £10,000 or £25,000 to help them through COVID-19 crisis.

The Government has allocated over £213m to support qualifying businesses in Suffolk that are struggling due to restrictions in place to combat the Coronavirus. 

There are more than 15,000 eligible businesses across the county who can access one of two grants of either £10,000 or £25,000 to help with their ongoing business costs.

The Small Business Grant Fund is available to businesses who pay little or no business rates and currently receive small business rate relief (SBRR) and / or rural rate relief (RRR). In addition, there is a cash grant available to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that have a property with a rateable value up to £51,000. 

Businesses who meet the eligibility criteria are being contacted by their Local Authority to confirm eligibility and payment details and staff are working to get this information out to firms as quickly as they can. Businesses must follow the process outlined by Babergh for the payment to be made.

Cllr Michael Holt, Babergh District Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Growth said: "It is important that all businesses access the financial support and advice that is available. Our teams are working incredibly hard to ensure that payments are being made as quickly as possible to help our small businesses through these difficult times."

The Small Business Grant Fund is available to businesses who pay little or no business rates and currently receive small business rate relief (SBRR) and / or rural rate relief (RRR). In addition, there is a cash grant available to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that have a property with a rateable value up to £51,000.

To access the grants, business owners must complete an online form to confirm their eligibility and payment details.

Business owners who have not yet received a letter from Babergh District Council and believe they are eligible for either of the grants, would like to find out more or would like to submit their details should visit: Babergh's website for further details.

The grants will be administered by Babergh District Council as the local authority, along with their shared revenue partners with Ipswich and Mid-Suffolk for the peninsula, other councils will administer their districts.

Karen Chapman, from the Suffolk Growth Board representing all local authorities, commented; "The Small Business Grant Fund and Cash Grant for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses could provide an important lifeline during these unprecedented times.

"We urge all eligible businesses to take advantage of the financial support, advice and guidance that is available during this difficult period."

Further information, on these two grants and all support available for businesses and the self-employed can be found on the Government business support website.