Deadline approaching for Covid financial support applications
Eligible Swansea businesses have just a few days left to apply for emergency Covid financial support.
An application deadline of 5pm on Monday February 14 is in place for two live schemes, with millions of pounds having been provided to thousands of successful applicants so far.
The first scheme - funded by the Welsh Government and run by Swansea Council - covers retail, hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations impacted by Wales' move to alert level two in late December.
Eligible businesses as well as those in their supply chains which are liable to pay non-domestic rates could be entitled to grants of £2,000, £4,000 or £6,000, depending on their rateable value if they apply before the deadline.
The council has already allocated grants worth a combined £3.75m to more than 1,460 businesses as part of this scheme.
More information, eligibility criteria and registration and application details about that scheme are available at www.swansea.gov.uk/CovidNDRbusinessgrants
Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: "This is one of two emergency financial support schemes that went live last month as the council continues to work closely with the Welsh Government and other partners to support our businesses.
"We recognise how challenging recent times have been for our business community, which is why we'll continue to do all we can to provide as much support as possible.
"As well as this scheme, an application deadline of 5pm on Monday February 14 is also in place for a second scheme, which is aimed at Swansea businesses in the leisure, tourism, hospitality and retail sectors that do not pay business rates.
"I'd encourage businesses that may be eligible for either scheme to get their forms in by the deadline to ensure they don't miss out on the potential for financial support."
Covering business impacted from Monday December 13 to Monday February 14, the scheme for businesses that don't pay business rates includes two levels of grant award:
- A £1,000 cash grant payment for hospitality, tourism, retail, leisure or related supply chain businesses which do not employ anyone apart from the owner, and do not have a property
- A £2,000 cash grant payment for hospitality, tourism, retail, leisure or related supply chain businesses who employ staff through PAYE (in addition to the owner)
Also covering freelancers in the creative sector, both these grants are aimed at supporting businesses with an annual turnover of less than £85,000.
Businesses which may be eligible are asked to visit https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/businesssupport where the Business Wales eligibility checker must be completed before applicants are able to access the application form.
Funded by the Welsh Government and run by Swansea Council, this Emergency Business Fund grant scheme is aimed at helping support businesses impacted by the most recent Covid restrictions which are not eligible for the Economic Resilience Fund.