Two weeks left to get unclaimed business grants

With just two weeks left for eligible local businesses to receive their government grant, Thurrock Council is urging any business which has not yet received their money to come forward now.

Since the scheme was launched at the start of April, Thurrock Council has distributed more than £22 million worth of government funding to nearly 1,800 local business.

Cllr Shane Hebb, Cabinet Member for Finance, said:

“This funding has provided a vital lifeline to businesses during an extremely uncertain time.

“Thurrock Council has made sure that government funding has found its way into the bank accounts of 86 per cent of eligible local businesses, distributing more than £22 million.

“That means there are still 14 per cent of eligible businesses which have not taken advantage of this grant which closes on Friday 28 August. If you think you are eligible but haven’t received anything please contact us immediately.”

Businesses which were registered for Business Rates as at 11 March 2020 and qualify for either small business rates relief or retail, hospitality or leisure business rates relief and have a rateable value of less than £51,000 are potentially entitled to a grant.

It is now imperative that any business owner who thinks their business is eligible for a grant but hasn’t received one yet goes to the council’s business rates web pages and updates their contact and payment details at thurrock.gov.uk/forms/coronavirus-business-rates-support

The government has created an online service to help business owners find out exactly what financial support is available to them. For more information visit: gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder