SALFORD COUNCIL URGES LOCAL BUSINESSES TO APPLY FOR SUPPORT

Staff at Salford City Council are working around the clock including this last weekend to pay out around £44 million* in support grants to businesses in the city – but some companies have yet to apply or provide all the information we require.

Around 1,500 businesses (38% of the approximately 4,000 eligible for government support grants) have now received a total of £18 million in support – and the council is working through processing more as quickly as possible. 

Councillor Bill Hinds, lead member for financial and support services, said there were huge challenges in making the pay-outs to small businesses and those in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector but the council is determined to get the help through.

He said:

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“We have had to put new systems in place to process these grants and check evidence such as bank statements to prevent any fraud, as these are large sums of money.

The council doesn’t have the required supporting evidence for many of the businesses eligible for the grant so gathering all the details needed has proved a huge challenge.

“With many businesses closed just getting in touch is causing difficulties, so we are emailing, phoning and texting as well as sending letters. Our staff have been working weekends and bank holidays to get this done as quickly as possible because we know how important it is to get this money out and help them stay afloat.

“We’ve received great feedback from some small businesses who’ve thanked us for processing the grant so quickly and said how grateful they were to receive this money which will go a long way to support them and their loyal staff through this devastating time.

“However, we haven’t received applications from all the businesses which may be eligible for this support. I’d urge any business owner who has not yet applied to check www.salford.gov.uk/cvbusiness to see if they qualify and if they do to submit their application along with supporting information. We want to make sure we help every business we can.” 

 

In addition to paying out government grants, Salford City Council is also putting systems in place to provide support to those entitled to the extended retail discount.

The council will utilise data it holds about business so that the 100% retail discount can be awarded automatically.

Customers who pay by direct debit have already benefited as payments have stopped being taken.

Revised 2020/21 bills will be issued this month advising eligible businesses of the award.

Details of wider support for businesses can be found here

*£44,285,000 has been identified by the council as the required amount to pay grants to all eligible businesses in Salford.