Support grants for businesses forced to close in lockdown

Businesses forced to close their doors to the public during the national lockdown this month can now apply for Government grants to support them through the closure period.

Applications to the Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme are now being accepted in Darlington and will be administered by the council, as with similar national grant schemes.

Each local authority is also being provided with additional restrictions funding as a one-off lump sum payment, designed to support businesses affected by the latest lockdown.

We envisage this will primarily take the form of discretionary grants to businesses that fall outside the eligibility criteria for the automatic grant – we will promote this scheme once it is up and running.

News of the lockdown restriction grants – which can be up to £3,000, depending on the size of the business, for the 28 day period has been welcomed by Councillor Heather Scott, leader of Darlington Borough Council.

“It’s good to see that grants for businesses affected by the second national lockdown have been made available so quickly by the Government, as it’s vital for a business of any size to have access to some funds during this situation that is not of their making.

“The hospitality sector and small independents are once again the most impacted by these closures and, as a council we are doing everything we can to support them. I have been most impressed by the efforts of so many businesses to find ways to keep trading safely, making use of the internet and social media to offer takeaway and delivery services.

“I know our business rates team will work hard to manage all the applications received. There is lots of advice for businesses, and access to a wide range of support from this region and beyond, on our website.”

A business support section can be found in the coronavirus information of our website: www.darlington.gov.uk/coronavirus

Details of businesses offering delivery and takeaway services, which includes shops and service providers, as well as restaurants and pubs, can be found at www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/deliveries