Businesses in Maidstone have already claimed more than £8million in government grants, to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.

Maidstone Borough Council is urging all local companies that qualify for the grants of up to £25,000, to apply now, fearing that some could miss out on the vital support.

Some £28 million is due to be awarded to businesses in the borough who meet the criteria, with £8.5 million having already been claimed.

Organisations in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value more than £15,000 and under £51,000 will receive a cash grant of £25,000.

Around 425 businesses in Maidstone qualify for the grant.

Companies in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value of £15,000 or under will receive a cash payment of £10,000.

All those in receipt of small business rates relief and rural rate relief, regardless of sector, will be eligible for a cash payment of £10,000. Around 1,800 businesses in the borough qualify for these grants.

The council has written out to all those that qualify, setting out what they need to do to set up payment details for the grant. However, due to Britain being in lockdown, the council is concerned many businesses may not have seen the invitation and could be missing out on the support.

Stephen McGinnes, director of mid Kent services at the council said: “Many of our small businesses that qualify for these grants are still to apply and we are keen to ensure all small businesses that qualify receive them as soon as possible. We can only contact them using the details they have previously provided us with so we are urging them to check their mail and claim the money they are entitled to.

“We have already issued revised business rates bills to all local businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors who will now pay no business rates in 2020-21, helping to ease the burden on them.

“However, there remains this huge amount of money currently unclaimed and we want to make sure that our small businesses benefit from this grant as soon as possible. We are currently processing the 660 applications we have already received and will be issuing the grants for these as soon as possible.”

Should businesses have any questions regarding the support that could be available to them or have not received a letter by this Sunday, they need to email the business support team at covid19business@maidstone.gov.uk.

For more information on the grants scheme click here

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