Hastings businesses receive £20m grant to fend off impact of Covid-19

Businesses in Hastings have been supported by more than £19million in Government grants designed to support small companies in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors.
A number of businesses reopened on Monday but hospitality businesses remain closedA number of businesses reopened on Monday but hospitality businesses remain closed
A number of businesses reopened on Monday but hospitality businesses remain closed

This money makes up part of the almost £28million allocated by the government.

However, the council has estimated that the actual total amount payable for these grants to Hastings’ businesses is only just over £22.5million.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman for Hastings Borough Council said: “The council does not know how the government calculated the £28m allocation of funding for Hastings.”

The grants have been important in supporting Hastings’ small business community through the challenging times as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council said it is ‘doing all it can’ to contact the remaining businesses who are eligible for the grant.

The council has also developed a discretionary business grant scheme, to provide further help to Hastings’ businesses.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cllr Peter Chowney, lead for financial management and estates, said: “The £19,190,000 we have paid out so far represents 85% of the amount that the council estimates could be paid out. As of today, we have paid out grants to 1,651 premises which amounts to 84% of the total premises we believe to be eligible – 1,974 in total.

“We started paying grants out on the 1 April and our system has been working well once we receive the necessary details from businesses. Our payment system has been quick, and we’ve been getting grants to most businesses within a couple of days. 

“The council has been doing all it can to encourage the remaining eligible businesses to apply for this funding.” 

Cllr Kim Forward, leader of the council, added: “Our officers have written, emailed, telephoned all the eligible businesses that we have had contact details for. We have contacted key business organisations in the town to encourage uptake. We have also been sharing information about the schemes with advertisements on social media, to reach as many people as possible via those channels, and in the council’s e-newsletter, which goes out to over 36,000 residents. 

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Councillors and some business organisations have been supplied with a list of addresses which are potentially eligible and have themselves provided local intelligence and have visited numerous premises. Council officers are continuing to try and contact businesses and owners who have not yet applied.

“We’re hoping that as some shops are now re-opening and owners are returning to properties that have been empty, we may see more applications come in over the next week.  

“I encourage all Hastings businesses to check the council’s website to see if they are eligible and more so if they have received a letter or email from the council. Businesses must not miss this opportunity – as any leftover funding will be reclaimed by the government.” 

Cllr Peter Chowney added: “The council’s Discretionary Business Grant scheme was also launched last Wednesday and the deadline to apply is 9am on the 24 June. I would again urge all smaller businesses which were not eligible for the Small Business Rate Grant or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant to also check the council’s website and apply – as there is just over £1.1m that can be claimed via this funding scheme too. 

“The council want to do everything we can to help support our local businesses, and we want to make sure that nobody misses out on any funding that may help them recover from the impact of COVID-19.”