Cheshire East Council is urging businesses to come directly to them and submit their business bank details online – via an official form – to receive government Covid-19 business grants, rather than using agents.
Two new grant funding schemes have been announced by the government as part of the pandemic:
- A small business grant fund of £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief; and
- Grant funding of £10,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property –where the rateable value is below £15,000
- Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property – where the rateable value is between £15,000 and less than £51,000.
Eligible businesses will be identified through the business rates system and will receive the grants once funds are available.
For businesses that do not pay business rates by direct debit or qualify for small business rate relief, the council does not hold any bank details and will be unable to make Covid-19 grant payments via cheque.
It is important that these businesses confirm their bank details – on a simple online form – directly with the council, in order to receive qualifying grant payments via BACS transfer.
The online form can be accessed at: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/business/business_rates/business-rates-relief/coronavirus-covid-19-help-for-business-rates-customers.aspx