New discretionary grant fund launched to help small businesses and charities

The Discretionary Grant Fund offers help with fixed property-related costs and follows on from two previous Government business support initiatives, the Small Business Grant Fund (SBGF) and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund (RHLGF).

It is aimed at small businesses and charities with less than 50 employees which did not qualify for support under these previous initiatives and which have experienced a substantial loss of income as a result of COVID-19.

Hartlepool has been allocated £876,500 and applications are now being invited by Hartlepool Borough Council which is administering the fund.

The maximum potential grant is £10,000, although the actual maximum may be lower depending upon the number of applications received. 

Businesses that Hartlepool Borough Council will accept applications from include:

• Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, including units on industrial parks, science parks and incubator sites which do not have their own business rates assessment.
• Bed and breakfast establishments which pay council tax rather than business rates.
• Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment.
• Charity properties in receipt of Charitable Business Rates Relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief.

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 15th June. Applications received after this time and date will only be considered if sufficient funds remain. Grants will be paid from Wednesday June 17th onwards.

Further information, including the full eligibility criteria and an application form, can be found by clicking here or by calling 01429 284277.