Bedford Borough Council is urging any businesses that may be eligible for support through a discretionary business support grant to get in touch by Friday 28 August.

The Government has allocated £1.6 million to Bedford Borough Council for the discretionary grants scheme. To date the Council has received hundreds of forms, and any businesses that haven’t already had a response will hear back in the next week.

You may be eligible for a discretionary grant if you:

• Have experienced a significant reduction in income due specifically to the coronavirus measures, and
• Have fixed costs in respect of business premises located within Bedford Borough, and
• Have rent or mortgage costs of less than £100,000 per year, and
• Are small or micro businesses or are charities or similar not-for-profit

Previously, businesses were only eligible for assistance if they had rent or mortgage costs of less than £51,000. This has been extended to help more local businesses.

Cllr Michael Headley, Portfolio Holder for Finance said “Our team is working really hard to process all the applications we receive, and support as many local businesses as possible.

“The Government has imposed a strict deadline of Friday 28 August for applications to be received and this is the last chance for businesses to apply for a grant. If your business fits the new criteria for the scheme please get in touch with the Council as soon as possible- before Friday 28 August- to apply for this grant funding.”

Find out more and fill in the form at www.bedford.gov.uk/bsg