Businesses across Warwickshire about to benefit from first batch of grants to help them through Covid-19 outbreak

File image, Leamington town centre before social distancing measures were imposed.

Warwick District Council’s finance team has sent out 2,500 letters out to businesses

and as a result has received almost 1,000 grant applications.

Sarah Horne, who runs House of Silk and Sarah Horne Flowers in Warwick, admitted this was unchartered territory.

She said: “I have been in business for 40 years and never needed support before. This grant payment is a real lifeline and will help me to plan ahead to what happens after this.”

Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for finance, Cllr Richard Hales (Con Kenilworth Abbey and Arden) added: “In the wake of this national crisis I am pleased that this Council has been agile and flexible, enabling local businesses to access the financial support they need as quickly as possible.

“Once again I want to extend my thanks to our finance team who have put in extra hours in challenging circumstances.”

Officers at Stratford District Council have processed their first batch of business grants totalling £4.6 million. These grants form part of a £35.52 million central government pot of money allocated to them.

Council leader Cllr Tony Jefferson (Con Welcombe) said: “Progress to date represents a huge achievement by our team. We know how important it is that businesses get support at this difficult time.

“Businesses have a critical economic role employing thousands of people and we want to ensure that they can play a full role in the recovery from this crisis.

“We are aware that the system is imperfect and we have raised issues with Nadhim Zahawi MP where there are gaps in coverage that particularly affect businesses in our district.”

And finance chiefs at North Warwickshire Borough Council have paid out £1.275m to 123 businesses.

Leader Cllr David Wright (Con Fillongley) said: “This is just the start - we’ve got well over £10m to grant to our businesses. We hope these payments come as a much-welcomed support to those businesses who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.”