Time is running out to apply for Discretionary Business Grant Payments

Almost 900 businesses have applied to be considered for Discretionary Grant Payments during the opening week of applications, with less than one week left for outstanding requests to be submitted.

Birmingham City Council will use money provided by the Government to support small businesses,  including sole traders and self-employed, who have been adversely affected by Covid-19, but who did not qualify for the original Small Business or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants.

The grants, which will be up to £25,000, will be prioritised for small businesses in shared offices or flexible workspaces, bed and breakfasts which pay council tax and regular market traders with fixed business costs.

Priority will also be given to charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “These grants are being offered as a lifeline to businesses in desperate need of financial support; the money doesn’t need to be repaid and is there to help. Whilst handing out money may seem unprecedented; it is in direct response to unprecedent circumstances so should not be dismissed.

“Businesses only have one week left to take advantage of this opportunity and submit an application for consideration. Time is running out and I would urge anyone who has not yet looked into the criteria to do so quickly or risk missing out on this altogether.”

Before applying for a Discretionary Grant Payment, businesses should first check if they are eligible to automatically receive either the Small Business or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants as they will not be entitled to both.

If they do decide to proceed with a Discretionary Grant Payment, businesses should review the information on the website and ensure they provide all required evidence with their application to avoid processing delays.

When considering allocating the Discretionary Grant Payments, the council will consider whether the businesses has had to close or reduce its trading; what are the commercial fixed costs of the business and what is the scale of impact on the business.

Businesses have until midday on 15 June to submit their application online.