200 businesses still eligible for coronavirus grants from Northampton Borough Council

The Government announced a number of grant schemes providing financial assistance to coronavirus-gripped businesses, and after handing the cash to local authorities, Northampton Borough Council has supported more than 2,900 businesses with payments exceeding £34.875 million.

The grant payments were administered through three schemes: the Small Business Grant Fund; the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund for businesses with a rateable value of up to £15,000 or up to £51,000; and the Discretionary Fund.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting last week, cabinet member for finance Councillor Brandon Eldred said: “This was fantastic and the officers worked so hard to get this out to all the businesses that qualified for it. So far it’s 2,970 businesses that have benefited from the grants the government has given us. Hopefully it will go a long way to make sure they have a secure future and they can continue business in Northampton and with our help over the next few years, we can make sure they grow rapidly and make the town a prosperous place.”

But he added: “We still have around 200 properties that may be eligible and we continue to make progress in contacting them to advise the businesses occupying them that they are eligible. So there’s still some money out there, so I’m surprised this hasn’t been snapped up.”