“The application process for the Discretionary Grant Fund aimed at those small businesses and local charities not covered by previous schemes is now open. We have had 178 apparently eligible applications so far, subject to due diligence. Applications close on Monday 22 June.
We’ve issued 3,173 Business Support Grants totalling £38,355,000, which is almost 84% of the allocation. However, we are aware many businesses have still not applied. Some, we are told, believe they will have to reimburse the payments. Although potentially liable to tax, they will not, they are grants, not loans.
Others may not have picked up the post from their business premises and often the business address is the only contact address we hold.
So town and parish councils are asked to help promote both schemes to their local business community.”
For enquiries about Community Grant schemes please email community.grants@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk