Cheshire East launch business help scheme

Cheshire East Council has launched a scheme to help businesses support each other during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The scheme, which can be accessed via the council’s website at cheshireeast.gov.uk/Covid19 seeks to match businesses that are in need of help, to those that are in a position to help across a number of areas, such as;· Staffing – to support another business;

• Delivering services or goods;
• Supportive mentor phone calls; 
• Business rates advice; 
• Business finance information; and
• Advice and guidance

Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council said: “I would like to reassure our residents and local businesses that we are working daily with partner agencies to coordinate our efforts, particularly with a focus on those who may be struggling at this time.”

“This scheme seeks to give support across our business community now – while we are in the midst of the pandemic – enabling all, from sole traders to large corporations to come together in collaborative partnerships.”

If you are a business owner that can offer help, or a business in need of support, please visit our ‘business helping business’ web pages.

For more government advice on coronavirus financial support for businesses, visit the gov.uk website.

Cheshire East Council is also urging businesses to come directly to them and submit their business bank details online – via an official form – to receive government Covid-19 business grants, rather than using agents.  

Two new grant funding schemes have been announced by the government as part of the pandemic, which cover three scenarios: ·

• A small business grant fund of £10,000 for all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief; and ·
• Grant funding of £10,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property –where the rateable value is below £15,000 or;
• Grant funding of £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property – where the rateable  value is between £15,000 and less than £51,000. 

Eligible businesses will be identified through the business rates system and will receive the grants once funds are available.  

For businesses that do not pay business rates by direct debit or qualify for small business rate relief, the council does not hold any bank details and will be unable to make grant payments via cheque.  

It is important that these businesses confirm their bank details – on a simple online form –directly with the council, in order to receive qualifying grant payments via bacs transfer. 

The online form can be accessed by visiting our business rates relief page.