Applications for Discretionary Grant Payments have now closed with 1,898 Birmingham businesses requesting financial support during the two-week window.
Following on from the Government’s Small Business and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants which were announced in the spring, Discretionary Grant Payments were introduced to support businesses which were ineligible for the initial grants, but adversely impacted by Covid-19.
During the two-week application window, 1,898 businesses across the city applied to be considered for one-off cash grants of up to £25,000, which can be used to support their business and do not need to be repaid.
Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “To receive such a high volume of applications during such a short timeframe shows just how hard businesses have been hit by Covid-19 and how much of a lifeline these grants will be. We will now start the process of reviewing the applications and allocating funding to ensure those who are in the most need, receive it.
“Knowing the urgency of the situation, we kept the application window to two weeks to strike the balance between allowing sufficient time for businesses to apply but equally being able to review the and distribute the grants without unnecessary delay. To those businesses which have applied, we will now review the information provided and contact you by 6 July to confirm whether your application has been successful, and what grant you have been allocated.”
Priority for the grants will be given to businesses in shared offices or other flexible spaces, such as units in industrial parks; regular market traders who do not have their own business rate assessment; and bed and breakfasts, which pay council tax instead of business rates. Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief will also be prioritised.