£12.5m in grants given to small businesses in Rugby and Bulkington - and there's around £7.5m more to be had

Already 1,000 small businesses in Rugby and Bulkington have received grants as part of the Government’s Small Business Grants Scheme.

Around £12.5 million has made its way to small businesses in the area to support them through the challenges they are facing because of the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak and of the subsequent lockdown.

Rugby MP Mark Pawsey welcomed the news, but urged those businesses which have not yet come forward to do so.

He said: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and to help our recovery we need our small businesses to survive and then thrive.

"These grants will help many of our high street and retail businesses to survive the pandemic and then return to work once it is safe to do so.”

“Since the outbreak began, I have been in regular contact with local business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce and Rugby Business Support, as well as Warwickshire County Council, Rugby Borough Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, to ensure that local business can access the support they are entitled to.

"However, there are still some businesses eligible for funding who have not applied for it. I would urge them to complete Rugby Borough Council’s small business grants form through their website at www.rugby.gov.uk.”

The Small Business Grants Scheme was set up by the Government to back the UK’s smallest businesses with £12.3 billion.

The funding is provided to local authorities, who are then able to offer grants of up to £10,000 to small businesses, and up to £25,000 for eligible leisure, retail and hospitality businesses.

Mr Pawsey added: “The Government is determined to ensure that everyone gets the support they need to do the right thing – to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives – without having to worry about losing their livelihoods or not being able to pay their bills.

"That is why alongside the Small Business Grants Scheme, Government-backed loans for businesses have been made available, and the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme has been introduced to protect jobs.”