£38.3 million going to Buckinghamshire businesses in Coronavirus relief grants

Buckinghamshire Council has paid out £38.3 million in coronavirus business grants to 2,900 small local businesses and businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors*.
Cllr Martin Tett, Council LeaderCllr Martin Tett, Council Leader
Cllr Martin Tett, Council Leader

Cllr Martin Tett, Council Leader, said: “Our business rates team are working tirelessly including over the Easter weekend to process applications and have made 2,900 grant payments so far with more arriving each day.

“Supporting businesses is a top priority for the council and we’re working closely with our local businesses to help them during this difficult time. We are determined to ensure eligible businesses are receiving the grants they are entitled to. And as they are grants, not loans, they do not need to be repaid.”

Local businesses can expect to see the grants arrive in their bank accounts over the next few days as it takes the banks a couple of days to carry out their part of the process. New applications are arriving daily and the business grants team are working hard to process the requests as they arrive.

Already businesses have been in contact to thank the council for the support.

Rory Bartlett, Head of Operations, South East for Esquires Coffee, which has two coffee shops in Buckingham, told us: “The help from the council has taken a huge weight off our shoulders and I can’t thank you enough. Buckinghamshire is one of six local authorities I am dealing with and I have to say you and the team have been head and shoulders more organised, better informed and more helpful above all the others.”

As at close of business on Tuesday 14 April, 2,900 successful applications had been processed, but it is believed that many more businesses are entitled to receive a grant.

Cllr Tett encourages any businesses that hadn’t applied yet to do so by visiting www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/businessgrant. The grants are available to all eligible businesses and, as they are grants and not loans, do not need to be repaid.

Most businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, and businesses receiving Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief will receive a grant as follows:

Eligible properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or less will receive a £10,000 grant

Eligible properties with a rateable value of more than £15,000 and up to £51,000 will receive a £25,000 grant

To be eligible for a grant, companies and traders must have been liable for business rates on 11 March 2020. If not, there is no entitlement to relief.

* This was the number processed and paid by the end of the day on Tuesday 14 April.

Any queries specific to your business should be made to the council direct. We are working in partnership with Buckinghamshire Business First who can help businesses with general support, advice and information. Visit the website at bbf.uk.com or email [email protected]