‘We can recover from it’: Eastbourne businesses set to receive funding after Covid losses

Eastbourne Borough Council has set aside funding to provide extra support for businesses by expanding the additional restrictions grant.

Councillor David Tutt, council leader, said, “As long as infection rates continue to fall, we are very much looking forward to the lifting of restrictions this summer and the rejuvenation of the Eastbourne economy which, as a tourism town, has been among the hardest hit by the pandemic.

“But in the meantime, we have been exploring what additional support we can offer to small businesses within the guidelines of the government Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).”

The council says it has supported more than 350 businesses with £1.2 million through the grant since Eastbourne went into tier four restrictions on December 26.

By expanding the grant, more businesses can be supported through various schemes:

• Exceptional Hardship Scheme – Aimed at micro, small and medium sized businesses, this will be designed to help businesses that are still currently trading but have suffered a significant downturn in income, as well as businesses that have been made to close by the government.

• Business Adaptation Grant – This will allow businesses to access funds to cover expenses such as training or upskilling new staff, expansion of an existing business or costs associated with adaptation as a result of pandemic such as diversification into online retail or making the property Covid-compliant.

• Business Futures Bid Fund – This will allow local trade organisations, community interest companies and not-for-profit organisations to submit robust business cases for funding to support activities that will help drive the regeneration of a specific business sector.

• Providing support to taxi and private drivers that have seen a decrease in their trade.

Cllr Tutt said, “As we begin to emerge from the lockdown, it is vitally important that we continue to assist Eastbourne businesses through the recovery.

“The impact of the pandemic has in both health and financial terms been devastating, but I remain optimistic that we can and will recover from it.”

For more information visit https://www.lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/community/covid-19/businesses/