RYEDALE District Council (RDC) is urging eligible businesses to apply for financial support if they have had to close their doors for the coronavirus national lockdown.

The council is launching a new grants scheme, with key funding available to small businesses who have been mandated to close by the government.

These include non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses.

Cllr Keane Duncan, leader of RDC, said: “This second national lockdown has dealt a massive blow to many of our businesses who hadn’t quite recovered from the first.

“It’s been our aim during this crisis to support lives and livelihoods, particularly those most acutely affected by Covid-19, and we’ve been leading the way in getting the business grants out of the door to those that are eligible.”

Cllr Duncan added: “Ryedale District Council is ready to process the latest grants as quickly as possible to help eligible businesses stay afloat and protect jobs.

“If you’re a businesses in our district in need of support – see if you’re eligible and apply.”

Eligible businesses are those that have been mandated to close by the Government including:

  • Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on the date of the commencement of the widespread national restrictions. They will receive a payment of £1,334 per 28-day qualifying restriction period;
  • Businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on the date of the commencement of the widespread national restrictions. They will receive a payment of £2,000 per 28-day qualifying restriction period;
  • Businesses with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above on the commencement date of the widespread national restrictions. They will receive a payment of £3,000 per 28-day qualifying restriction period.

Businesses can find more information and details of the eligible criteria at ryedale.gov.uk/covid-19-2020/support-for-business