Hastings Borough Council (HBC) says it has been working hard to process Small Business and Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grants since they were announced by Government earlier this month.

The Government has provided funds to the council to make these payments.

Peter Chowney, lead councillor for finance, said yesterday: “The council appreciates how difficult it is for businesses, their employees, and suppliers in the current challenging circumstances and is looking to provide support wherever it can. We will continue to lobby the government where there are gaps in the support.

“The Revenues and Finance teams are working hard to process these payments to eligible businesses as quickly as possible.

“The council has so far paid out £12,315,000 in grants to 1,032 business premises within the borough between April 1st and 19th. This represents 52 per cent, by value, of the total sum the council expects to be payable.

The Council has received information from 1,422 businesses out of 1,968 currently considered as eligible within the borough, 79 per cent. The remaining businesses who have not submitted their information are being encouraged to do so – can find out more by following this link Council’s website .

There are also other sources of financial assistance available to businesses and to specific business sectors – please see the Council’s website for further information and links to Government and other websites.”

Under the government’s Small Business Grant Fund most businesses in England in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) or Rural Rates Relief (RRR) as of the March 11th this year are eligible for a payment of £10,000. 

While under the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, businesses in England that would have been in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure) on March 11th, with a rateable value of less than £51,000, will be eligible for cash grants of up to £25,000 per property.