Leeds Council release plans to further support businesses struggling to cope financially from Covid

The Council has awarded around 5,500 grants so far which have been worth a combined total of more than £8 million.

These have been for businesses affected by the restrictions that were introduced on September 25, the national lockdown from November 5 to December 2 and the Tier 3 rules which have been in force in Leeds since the lockdown restrictions were lifted.

Since the start of the pandemic, nearly £170m has been distributed by the council to thousands of businesses across Leeds.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for businesses in Leeds and we have been determined to help every step of the way.

“The amount of money awarded to date is a reminder of both the impact of COVID-19 and the huge efforts that are being made to provide much-needed assistance to those affected by ongoing restrictions.

“I would urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible for support to make themselves known to us as soon as possible.”

Individual grants distributed during this period have ranged in size from less than £1,000 to more than £6,500.

The figures come as the council prepares to embark on the latest phase of its work helping those affected by COVID-19 restrictions which is made up by different schemes.

The first will offer grants to business who were forced to shut during the national restrictions that ended on December 2.

The second scheme is focused on hospitality venues and accommodation providers that have suffered financially as a result of restrictions introduced on September 25 and Leeds Council will be accepting applications for support for these businesses until mid-January.

A third scheme is aimed at those who have not had any other financial support from either local or national government and closes at midnight on Friday, December 18.

A fourth, set up to help businesses cover fixed non-domestic property costs such as mortgage payments, rent and service charges, closed last week.

The council is due to carry out a review of all its COVID-19 grant schemes in January before deciding how to make further funds available, with arrangements expected to be partly shaped by Leeds’s position in the country’s three-tier restrictions system at that time.

Plans are also being put in place for so-called ‘wet pubs’ – which predominantly serve alcohol rather than provide food and as a result have been hit particularly hard by coronavirus rules to receive a £1,000 Christmas support payment.

It is hoped the application process for this payment will go live from January.

Click here for further information about the council’s various grant schemes and links to the online application process.