Over the past 12 months, Richmond Council has awarded £59.0m in business grants to local businesses who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, however many have still not applied for the latest grants and time is running out.

Richmond Council has worked hard to process applications for grants quickly and ensure that funding reaches those who need it as soon as possible.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly 6,500 grant payments have been made to businesses totalling £59.0m.

Following the introduction of the Tier system in the autumn, and subsequent national lockdown periods, the Government have set up various grant schemes for businesses reflecting the different levels of restrictions.

However, with some of these most recent grants nearing their statutory application deadline (31 March), there are concerns that many local businesses might miss out as they haven't applied.

If you are a local business owner, that has not yet applied – please go online and make your application asap.

To see all the grants available and apply HERE

For businesses with questions regarding which grant they are eligible for, call our helpline: 020 8891 7725.

Cllr Robin Brown, Lead Member for Finance at Richmond Council, said:

"Varying COVID-19 restrictions have made it tough for businesses to navigate through these difficult times. But there is support available, and with the deadline ticking before applications must close – we want as many businesses as possible to benefit.

"I am urging local businesses to head to the Richmond Council website and find out what funding and support is available to them. If you are not sure about which grant applies to your business, please call the helpline.

"As a Council, we have ensured thousands of eligible businesses have had quick access to vital funding to help them through this most difficult time.

"We are ensuring these new grants are allocated swiftly and that no business is left behind as our borough looks to recover from the financial impact of COVID-19."

The Grants that are ending on the 31 March, include:

LRSG Closed (Addendum) Statutory scheme (for all businesses with a business rates liability that were mandated to close during the National Lockdown and Tier 4 local restrictions between 5 November – 1 December AND 20 December – 4 January - e.g. Non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure and personal care (gyms, hair, nail and beauty salons)

LRSG Closed Statutory Scheme (for hospitality type businesses with a business rates liability that were mandated to close during the Tier 2 and 3 local restrictions from 2-15 December and 16-19 December)

LRSG Open Discretionary Scheme (for hospitality, Leisure, Hotels and B&B's with fixed on-going property costs or business rates liability that were not mandated to close during Tier 2 and 3 local restrictions from 17 October – 4 November, 2-15 December and 16-19 December, but did suffer a financial loss as a result of COVID.)

LRSG Sector Statutory Scheme (for businesses with a Business Rates liability that have been required to close due to the national restrictions introduced in March 2020, and which have not been able to re-open; specifically - Nightclubs, Dance Halls, Discotheques, Adult Entertainment Venues and Hostess Bars.)

Closed Business January Lockdown Support Package (for all businesses with a business rates liability that were mandated to close during the National Lockdown restriction period from the 5 January 2021 onwards - e.g. Non-essential retail, hospitality, leisure and personal care (gyms, hair, nail and beauty salons).