Cumbria Business Growth Hub has just opened a new small grant scheme to help businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic. There are two schemes, one for tourism businesses and the other open to all sectors. Businesses can apply for grants from £1,000 to £5,000 if they can demonstrate a 40 per cent loss of income caused by the pandemic between March and June, compared with the same period in 2019. Recent start-ups will be able to compare against forecast income. The grants can be used for:
- Specialist advice including HR, accountancy, legal, financial, health and safety, IT/digital and sector-related consultancy.
- Visitor economy businesses can also apply for grants to boost productivity through digital tools such as yield-management software, mentoring, networking or other measures. Grants are also available to help the business to adapt to social distancing, for example, to buy equipment to help them continue to deliver business activity or diversify in response to Covid-19.
Businesses need three quotes from potential providers but don’t have to choose the cheapest. The maximum grant is £5,000, but most awards will be in the range £1,000 and £3,000. To start the application process, businesses should email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk and there is a 2 week application period starting from today (19th August)
The scheme will also be available in Yorkshire but will not open until September. You can register an interest on the following website: https://www.ynygrowthhub.com/resources/covid-19-small-business-grant/