Additional Covid-19 grants schemes open for small businesses in East Sussex

District and Borough Councils in East Sussex have opened their schemes for discretionary top up grants to local businesses.

The government has asked councils to prioritise businesses small businesses with ongoing and fixed property-related costs, who were not eligible for the previous scheme.

• all businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces. Examples could include units in industrial parks, science parks and incubators which do not have their own business rates assessment.
• Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment.
• Bed and Breakfasts which pay Council Tax instead of business rates.
• Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief.

Councils are also prioritising funds according to local economic need, and some councils have set out certain sectors and business types which may also apply for a grant. Other councils will look to use remaining funds to do this in the coming weeks.

To apply for this scheme, please visit your local council website and complete an expression of interest form.

If you want to speak to someone about your business or you want help navigating the broad array of advice and support schemes available, please give Business East Sussex a call on 01273 335878 or email us at info@businesseastsussex.org.uk.