Deadline extended for Cheshire East businesses to apply for Business Interruption Fund grants

Cheshire East Council has extended its deadline for Cheshire East businesses to claim grants from the Business Interruption Fund.

The scheme had been due to close to applications on 17th December, but will now run until 28th February in response to the reintroduction of some Covid-19 related restrictions.

The Business Interruption Fund is designed to support businesses in Cheshire East that have continued to be adversely affected by the pandemic after restrictions were eased on 19th July. Impacts could be due to ongoing restrictions on international travel, or periods of temporary closure or reduced service due to staff isolation and shortages.

Grant awards can be made of up £5,000 to eligible businesses, with the scheme having so far paid out over £416,000 across Cheshire East.

Cllr Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee said:

“We understand that the reintroduction of some Covid restrictions will be a great cause of concern to some businesses and that many were already continuing to be impacted by the pandemic.

“We hope that by extending the deadline for our Business Interruption Fund it will help to alleviate some of the pressures on businesses and encourage those who may not have considered applying previously, to do so.”

The Council’s Recovery and Growth Grant scheme, supporting businesses looking to adapt, grow and diversify has also been extended to 28th February, The grant, which can be applied for retrospectively, will support investment in premises, facilities and equipment to help them bring staff and customers back to work safely. Grants are available from £5000 to £25,000 towards eligible investment.

Both the Recovery and Growth Grant and Business Interruption Fund were launched after the council was awarded a further allocation of Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding by government earlier this year.