New council grant to help local businesses hit by COVID-19 restriction costs

Thurrock businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions can now apply for a Business Adaptation Grant of up to £2,500. The purpose of the government funded grant is to help local businesses and support Thurrock’s economic recovery.  

Thurrock Council has developed the grant programme to support small to medium businesses that have been hit by the cost of implementing social distancing and safety measures. Businesses can apply for a 50 per cent match-funded payment of between £1,000 to £2,500. 

The scheme offers funding toward several adaptation measures including temporary social distancing measures, outdoor seating, training, and new online infrastructure.

Cllr Shane Hebb, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “This grant has been launched to support Thurrock businesses that have adapted to keep their customers and employees safe. It offers a new lifeline as we continue to follow the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

“The council is here to help and we know what an important role small to medium businesses play in our local economy and we want to make sure that they get the support they need to enable Thurrock’s economic recovery.”

The discretionary grant is operating on a first come first served basis and retrospective applications can be made for the period from October 2020 onward. 

This grant scheme is funded by the Department of Health & Social Care’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) to enable a comprehensive response to public health risks of transmission. Supporting adaptations to premises helps ensure that businesses are operating safely with the risk of an outbreak greatly reduced.

For more information please go to Thurrock Council’s website.