More Horsham District small businesses urged to apply for business support

Horsham District Council is encouraging more eligible small businesses to apply for vital business grants to support them during the current coronavirus crisis.

The Council has awarded some 1,775 small business grants across the Horsham District which have already benefitted local businesses by £22.24 million.

However, we believe that there could be around 500 local small businesses that may be entitled to a grant but have not yet applied. We have written to these organisations and are now calling them to offer further support and guidance.

The grants have become available as part of a package of measures introduced by the Government in response to the outbreak. The application process and distribution of funds is being managed by Horsham District Council.

The Council believes that small organisations liable for business rates with a low rateable value such as village halls, sports facilities or similar have not yet come forward.

Additionally, businesses from the leisure, hospitality and retail sectors which are struggling as a result of the crisis should also apply for business support.

Horsham District businesses in these categories can apply online for financial support at:

https://www.horsham.gov.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-information-for-businesses

The application process is quick and simple.

Who can apply and how much is available

Businesses who are eligible for Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief in England will be entitled to a one-off cash grant of £10,000.

Additionally, for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, a scheme is available with a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property.

Businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000. Businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000, will receive a grant of £25,000.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Local Economy Cllr Paul Clarke commented:

“As a council we are committed to helping our residents and businesses through this crisis.

“I am delighted that the small business grant schemes are already benefitting so many local small businesses, but concerned that there are still many smaller organisations out there who could benefit, but they have not yet applied for help.

“I would urge businesses who haven’t done so to start applying now.

We are in a position to disperse the funds quickly to give vital support to eligible organisations.

Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Local Economy Cllr Paul Clarke

Please check out the links below to further sources of business support which are also available on the Horsham District Council coronavirus and business support pages:

• Coronavirus menu: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/coronavirus
• Business menu: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/business
• Business rates pages: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/business/business-rates/what-are-business-rates
• Start or grow your business page: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/business/start-or-grow-your-own-business

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .