Hundreds of businesses in West Lindsey have already received Covid-19 grants

Officers are working behind the scenes to get as many of the much-needed payments out to as many eligible business as quickly as they can.

By next Friday, the council is estimating that nearly £17 million will have been issued.

But the council is not being complacent and are urging business to go online and complete the online declaration form to help speed up the process.

Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Giles McNeill is calling all eligible businesses to register for support today.

He said: “West Lindsey District Council , like many other local authorities are tasked with administering two grant funds on behalf of central government as part of efforts to support the wider economy as we collectively manage the impacts of Covid-19.

“The Small Business Grant Fund is available to businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or less and they are eligible for rate relief under the Small Business Rate Relief (full relief and tapered relief) or the Rural Rate Relief Scheme of £10,000 per eligible business.

“The Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grant Fund of £10,000 is available for businesses eligible whose properties has a rateable value of £15,000 or less and £25,000 is available for eligible business for properties with a rateable value of more than £15,000 but less than £51,000.

“Please don’t wait for a letter to arrive through your door, go on to the councils website and complete the online declaration form now.

“The sooner the forms are processed the quicker our teams can do their best to get the money to you once it has been verified.”

Coun McNeill has praised the staff at the council for supporting and engaging with front line services during this difficult time.

He added: “It is the second week since we entered lockdown.

“I have been enormously proud of the way our staff who would normally be in our Guildhall have been stepping up to meet the challenge of delivering all the tasks that central government have given to us to do.

“Our customer service teams are dealing with between 700-800 calls everyday; and only a small number are missed or go to voicemail.

“And all the while our refuse teams are continuing to provide collections service and green bin services have resumed.”

Businesses in the district can complete the online declaration by clicking here

The council will be contacting business who they feel are eligible and have not completed the online form but are urging business not to wait for this in the hope if they go on line it will speed up the process.

If you are unsure of what support is available to your business - help is available.

To arrange a call with a local business adviser call 01522 782189 or email [email protected]

For the very latest information on support for your business click here

To notify the LEP on how Covid-19 is impacting your business, email [email protected]

• For the latest service disruptions in West Lindsey, click here

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