SMALL businesses across Reading have a two-week window to apply for new grant funding to help support them through the Covid-19 crisis.
Local firms have until Sunday June 14th to apply for Reading Borough Council’s new Discretionary Grant Fund Scheme. They can check if they meet the eligibility criteria and complete an application form at www.reading.gov.uk/discretionarygrantfund
Reading expects to be given around £1.4 million by Government as part of a new national scheme created to support certain small businesses which previously fell outside the scope of the main business grant funds scheme.
The Council’s scheme closely follows central Government guidance in terms of criteria and which businesses are eligible. Due to the limited funds available, the Council fully expects demand for grants to significantly outweigh supply. Grant values will therefore only be finalised once the two week application window has shut, at which point the Council can establish demand, carry out the relevant checks and ensure financial support reaches the maximum number of small local businesses in Reading.
A two-tier payment approach has been designed by the Council based on the estimated rateable value (RV) of businesses. No grants will be awarded without an application being made and incomplete claims or claims received after June 14th will not be considered. At this stage it is anticipated payments to successful businesses will be made by BACS on week commencing 22nd June.
