Fenland District Council launches new business grant fund

Fenland District Council has launched its Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) scheme to distribute over £1.3million of Government funding to support local businesses.

The new scheme is aimed at helping businesses that were open as usual, but which were then legally required to close due to the national COVID-19 restrictions which came into force for a period of 28 days effective from November 5.

Businesses are now being urged to check the eligibility criteria at www.fenland.gov.uk/LRBSG and complete the claim form as soon as possible.

Eligible businesses can claim the following amounts based on the rateable value of the property:

 Businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under and who are eligible can claim for a grant of £1,334 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

 Businesses with a rateable value of £15,001 to £50,999 and who are eligible can claim for a grant of £2,000 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

 Businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 and above and who are eligible can claim for a grant of £3,000 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

The online claim process opened on Tuesday, November 17.

Councillor Chris Boden, council leader and portfolio holder for finance, said: “We are pleased to be launching this new scheme to help businesses across the district access this much-needed financial support.

“We have successfully distributed almost £20million of funding to over 1,800 businesses so far and will ensure this latest funding is also handed out as swiftly as possible. I would strongly encourage businesses to check the eligibility and complete the online claims process to avoid any delays.”

The council will also be distributing a further £2million of Government funding through its Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme. This discretionary scheme will support those businesses required to close or have been severely impacted by the national restrictions, but which do not pay business rates. Applications for the ARG scheme will open in due course – please keep an eye on the

Council’s website and social media for updates.

Coun Boden added: “We are finalising the detail of how to award funding from the ARG scheme to businesses which are most in need of financial support and will publish these details and launch this additional scheme shortly.

“We are acutely aware of the enormous strain on our businesses at this time and we will continue to do everything we can to support them.”