THOUSANDS of businesses are receiving letters from Ryedale District Council (RDC) with guidance on how to access the government’s business grants.

The government has committed a range of measures to support businesses during the current Covid-19 public health emergency.

One measure is to provide £10,000 grant funding to all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief, retail relief and rural rate relief. A grant of up to £25,000 is available for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000.

There is no application form for the grants, but some information is required from eligible businesses to allow the money to be paid. To make this as easy as possible, RDC has launched a secure online form to collect the necessary data.

The council is also highlighting the fact that some small businesses who have not registered for business rates will need to register before they can provide their information and receive a grant. This will apply to some businesses who have premises of a low rateable value, who get 100 per cent Small Business Rates Relief on rates.

Cllor Keane Duncan, leader of RDC, said: “RDC is working around the clock to get money out to businesses as soon as possible. We want the process to be simple and fast as we know there are people already in desperate need.

“We will publish on our website daily how many grants we have paid so that you can see that we are working through them. We aim to get the money in, and out, as quickly as possible but we need your help so please get the information to us.”

Relevant forms are available on ryedale.gov.uk/business-support under the Small Business Grant section and can be filled in now. The council’s specialist business team can be contacted on business@ryedale.gov.uk