Richmond Council is encouraging local businesses to check if they are eligible for any of the Council's six grant schemes now open to ensure they don't miss the chance to claim funding.

There are different grants available for the various COVID-19 local restriction tiers that have been in place over the last few months, including a new payment for `wet-led` pubs covering the Christmas period. Businesses can still claim for the impact of local restriction tiers imposed during autumn 2020.

Additional funding for those impacted by the current lockdown will hopefully be launched in the next few weeks.

The Council is running the current grant schemes in line with government guidance and funding allocated.

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

"As we all go through another national lockdown it is vital that we do everything to support our local business sector.

'The Council is here to provide support and guidance for the challenges and road to recovery that 2021 brings so I urge businesses to check their eligibility for the support grants currently available and apply straight away.

"We will get the new lockdown grants open for applications as soon as possible.

"So far during the pandemic, Richmond Council has issued almost £45m in cash grants to over 3,500 businesses and awarded an additional £50.3m in business rate reliefs, but we know that many businesses have been hit hard and need further support."

Apply for the grants online HERE