Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT) has extended its Discretionary Business Grant scheme to include a wider range of businesses and organisations.
The revised criteria now includes early years child care providers who are in receipt of nursery discount, and an increase in the rateable value eligibility limit from £51,000 to £120,000, which will benefit some larger businesses who have missed out on the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund schemes
The scheme, which opened on 1 June, has had a good response so far with up to 50% of the available funding already committed.
However, it has remained under review and with funding still available the Council has widened the eligibility criteria with more opportunity to apply.
The Discretionary Grant is aimed at small businesses and organisations who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis, particularly those that have not benefitted from other Covid-19 schemes.
To qualify organisations must have fixed property-related costs of at least £200 per calendar month and be able to demonstrate they have experienced a significant fall in income as a consequence of Covid 19 (other conditions also apply).
The revised criteria and application process is available on our website.
https://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/business-rates/business-grants-covid-19-response/