Hertsmere Borough Council is calling upon eligible businesses to act now if they haven’t already applied for financial support

So far, the council has awarded more than £17.6 million to 1,285 businesses in the borough - some 94 per cent of those that are thought to be eligible.

The money has come from the government’s Small Business Grant Fund scheme, supporting those affected by the Covid-19 lockdown and social distancing measures.

The council is now reaching out to remaining businesses to get in touch before an August deadline runs out.

The criteria is

  • Business was trading on March 11 2020
  • Rateable value of £15,000 and receiving small business rates relief or rateable value of up to £15,000 and receiving retail discount or rateable value from £15,001 to £50,999 and receiving Retail Discount

Councillor John Graham, portfolio holder for finance, said: "The government has announced that the scheme will close on August 28 2020 which is the last day on which we can pay out grants from the council. If you meet the criteria and haven’t yet applied, you should act now.

"The revenue and benefits team at Hertsmere Borough Council has worked extremely hard to administer this scheme and make sure businesses are allocated these monies promptly and I am very grateful to them."

Those meeting the criteria and who haven’t yet applied, should email immediately and before midday on August 21 to allow the council time to check the claim and to make the payment before the deadline.

For more information, visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/covidbusinesssupport