More than 800 businesses affected by pandemic in Telford receive financial support

Telford & Wrekin Council created a discretionary business grant scheme to support any badly hit business which had fallen outside the Government’s national grant funding scheme.

Since the start of the latest lockdown in January most businesses have received two rounds of grant payments and may be eligible for further funding.

Telford & Wrekin Council is gearing up to launch a third round of the scheme, aimed at supporting self-employed people, market traders and those in shared business accommodation as well as businesses that have not been forced to close by the Government restrictions but can demonstrate they have lost income as a result.

Wet pubs will benefit from this third round of funding, following a one-off payment of £1,000 from the government in December, Telford & Wrekin Council will be making a one-off payment to wet pubs to the value of £1,500.

Councillor Rae Evans, cabinet member for finance & governance at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “Many borough businesses continue to face very serious financial challenges due to the pandemic and the current restrictions.

“Not every business has been able to secure funding support through the government’s schemes, which is why we have designed our discretionary scheme to support businesses that have lost out on the government’s schemes to date.”

Councillor David Wright, cabinet member for economy, housing, transport and infrastructure, added: “We believe this funding supports many of the smaller businesses in Telford & Wrekin that have been hardest hit by the pandemic. These businesses are part of the lifeblood of our economy and employ many local people.

“We will help as many of them as we can and urge businesses to check the eligibility criteria carefully and get in touch as quickly as possible.

“We are proud of the support we have been able to offer, which underlines our commitment to support the people of Telford & Wrekin in these unprecedented times.”