Greenwich Council has been given more than £36m to help small businesses through the coronavirus pandemic – with more than £5m of it already given away.
The government announced grant allocations for local authorities across England on Thursday, as part of the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant announced by the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, last month.
Greenwich has been given £36,852,000 to distribute to local businesses, with neighbouring Bexley Council receiving £36,438,000. Lewisham has been given £47,004,000, while Bromley has received £52,482,000.
- COVD-19 APPEAL: Donate to help frontline NHS staff
But Greenwich leader Danny Thorpe revealed on Thursday that the council had already sent out more than £5m of the small business grant fund in just two days.
“We have received lots of enquiries from businesses over the last week about the much-needed financial support announced by the Government. By the end of today we will have sent out over £5m of the small business grant fund in just two days,” he said.
A survey of local businesses conducted by Greenwich found that out of 450 responses:
- 26% have already had to make staff redundant
- 48% are concerned they will need to lay off staff
- 65% fear they will cease trading altogether due to cash flow challenges
Under the Small Business Grant Fund all businesses in England in receipt of either Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief will be eligible for a payment of £10,000.
The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant means eligible business will be able to receive between £10,000 and £25,000 in support.
- Official figures on virus spread
- Official info: Government | Greenwich | Lewisham | Bexley
- Volunteer to help your neighbours: Greenwich | Lewisham | Bexley | NHS
- Don’t stockpile, give to a food bank: Greenwich | Lewisham | Bexley
- NHS advice | Stay at home | Wash your hands more often
Lachlan Leeming is the Local Democracy Reporter for Greenwich. The Local Democracy Reporter Service is a BBC-funded initiative to ensure councils are covered properly in local media.
See more about how 853 uses LDRS content.
853 produces public interest journalism for Greenwich and SE London and is part-funded by its readers. If you would like to help keep it running, become a member:
-
- Join us on Steady at steadyhq.com/853 – donate monthly amounts in pounds
-
- Find us on PressPatron at presspatron.com/853 – donate monthly or annual amounts in pounds
-
- We’re also on Patreon at patreon.com/853 – donate monthly amounts in dollars
Thank you for your support – the site would not exist without it.
You must be logged in to post a comment.