Guidelines for additional small business financial support have changed
Aimed at firms not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant
Local businesses in Eastleigh Borough that have not previously been eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund are now to be given the support they need, thanks to a new grant fund administered by Eastleigh Borough Council.
Businesses eligible for or in receipt of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) are eligible to apply for this scheme as well.
In response to the coronavirus, the government had previously launched support for small businesses, and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, delivered through the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Fund. The Borough Council’s Economy Team administers these funds and distributes payments.
The new fund announced is aimed at small businesses that were not eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund. It targets small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs, and loss of income. The funding allocation of £969,250 will help around 150 local businesses. Decisions on the grants will be made by the Borough Council to assist a range of additional local businesses that contribute to the Borough’s local economy, within broad parameters set nationally but with local flexibility.
Following guidance from central government we have changed the eligibility criteria to allow those eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to apply for discretionary grants.
Council Leader, Councillor Keith House, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to help smaller businesses in the Borough that have not yet received any financial aid during this crisis. These businesses contribute a great deal to our local economy and we want to see them continuing to trade successfully in the future.”
Eastleigh Borough Council’s Economy Team will be following policy guidelines agreed by the Council’s Cabinet at its online meeting on Thursday, 21 May, to ensure grants are awarded appropriately throughout the Eastleigh business community.
Read the application guidelines
The application form can be found here the deadline for applications is 12 June.
For more information, please contact [email protected]