Millions spent to support businesses in Darlington

Hair salons, gymnasiums, and events suppliers are among the many businesses in Darlington who have benefitted from the latest government grants during the pandemic.

More than £45million of national government grant schemes have been awarded to support businesses from a variety of sectors as the economy struggled to cope with Covid-19.  Part of the grants scheme included the discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) which was created to support businesses impacted by the restrictions and that were not supported by mainstream government grants.

The council was awarded £3.8million of the ARG pot, aimed at providing meaningful support to businesses that had their livelihoods impacted by the pandemic, to safeguard jobs and protect the local economy.

This scheme opened for applications in December 2020 and was delivered in a series of phases to reflect the different stages of the national restrictions.  The council has now successfully allocated the full ARG grant amount, awarding hundreds of businesses from across the borough with financial support.

Jade Sloan from Platform Perform is one recipient of the generous funding, she said;

“All businesses have struggled recently; we have had no choice but to adapt as best we can. Grants like the ARG have been a saving grace to allow us to pay our overheads and keep the business going. I am hugely grateful to be able to access this support, I dread to think where Platform Perform would be without it.”

Those eligible for the financial assistance include hair & beauty, childminders, driving instructors, garages, health & fitness, hospitality, photographers, pet care, taxi drivers, event venues and suppliers, hospitality & leisure, and travel & tourism businesses.

Councillor Scott, Leader of the council, said: “I am delighted that we have successfully allocated all the Additional Restrictions Grants to local businesses – ensuring that support gets to those eligible as quickly as possible.

“We have distributed the grants to a wide range of businesses, in line with the national guidance and local needs, whilst being confident that the support provided is meaningful to each eligible business. 

“Delivering the ARG has been both rewarding and challenging.  Rewarding in the knowledge that we’ve been able to extend the reach of government financial support to a broader range of businesses in the borough but challenging with budgets that could not support more businesses.

“It has been wonderful to see the local economy opening up again, the town busy and businesses once again, thriving. As we move forward, the council remain committed to doing everything we can to support businesses and to continue to grow the local economy.”