More financial support for business

Businesses in St Albans District which have been forced to close during the current lockdown could be entitled to more financial support.

St Albans City and District Council is distributing non-repayable grants from the Government to help with costs such as rent and utility bills.

Pubs, restaurants, cafes, hotels and non-essential shops are among the businesses which could qualify for grants of £1,334, £2,000 or £3,000 for the month of November. The amount depends on their rateable value.

Shops which have remained open to operate a click-and-collect service may still be entitled to a grant if the main part of their business has closed.

To apply, businesses need to submit their details to the Council online at www.stalbans.gov.uk/business-and-licensing.

There is a link on the web page to a full list of the business types that qualify for the grants.

Councillor Mandy McNeil, Portfolio Holder for Business, Tourism and Culture, said:

Already over 200 local businesses have applied for this money.

We want to make sure, though, that no-one misses out on much-needed financial support during this exceptionally difficult time.

I urge any business within the District that feels they may be eligible to apply for this support.

The Council is also considering how to help businesses which are not registered for business rates or and those which are open but have suffered a significant reduction in trade because of the lockdown.

Cllr McNeil added:

I have received a number of emails from small businesses who’ve shared the extremely stressful circumstances they’ve found themselves in, through no fault of their own.

I am hoping we may be able to announce something shortly in relation to some of our businesses which have missed out on this latest support.

We are determined to help as many of our local businesses as we are able to and will make use of every opportunity to do so.

The Council has already distributed a total of £27 million of non-repayable grants to around 1,800 local businesses and other organisations.

This money came from three Government funds including the Discretionary Grants Fund.

Councillor contact:  
Mandy McNeil, Portfolio Holder for Business, Tourism and Culture: 07584 198999, cllr.m.mcneil@councillor.stalbans.gov.uk

Contact for the media: 
John McJannet,
Principal Communications Officer,
Tel: 01727 819533
Email: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.