News 90% of grants now paid to Maidstone businesses

Maidstone Borough Council has processed a staggering 1,953 government business grants since 19 March and has now paid 90% of the money owed to businesses that qualify.

There are still businesses that have not applied and the Council is urging those to come forward and claim the non-repayable cash grant as soon as possible.

Maidstone Borough Council was given a total of £28 million by government following the introduction of support for businesses in receipt of small business rates relief and businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors affected by Coronavirus. 2,222 local businesses across the borough of Maidstone qualify for the grant.

Stephen McGinnes, Director of Mid Kent Services at Maidstone Borough Council said:

“We are pleased to have given this money to 90% of those businesses that qualify already, however we still need the remaining 269 businesses to come forward and claim what is theirs.

“Many staff have been involved in processing these grants to make sure this money was awarded quickly and we have done everything we can to make contact with all those businesses that qualify and still haven’t claimed. Due to the lockdown they may not have been to premises where correspondence may have been sent, or email addresses and phone numbers may not be up to date. We are encouraging all of those to apply using our online form as soon as they can. This money is to help them survive.”

In addition, a new Local Authority Discretionary Grant scheme opened Monday 18 May, primarily aimed at helping those businesses not eligible for other forms of government support. Aimed at supporting small businesses and charities struggling to meet their fixed building related costs during Covid-19.

For any business not meeting these criteria please contact the Kent and Medway Business Support Team on 03333 602300 for further advice on available support.

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