SMALL businesses in Bracknell Forest can now apply for a share of £570,000 in coronavirus support funds.

The discretionary business grant scheme is open from Monday, June 1 and is available for businesses which have so far not been able to get government support.

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This includes micro-businesses such as:

  • Small businesses in industrial or science parks
  • Market traders
  • B&Bs that pay council tax and not business rates
  • Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief.

To claim successfully, businesses need to demonstrate they have suffered a “significant” fall in income due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A shared pot of £570,000 is available for eligible businesses, but the level of individual grants is likely to be below £5,000 according to Bracknell Forest Council (BFC).

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at BFC, said: “It has been a really tough time for many businesses and so we want to make sure those small and micro companies which have been ineligible for support so far are able to claim through this scheme.

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“If you do fit the criteria and so far haven’t been eligible for support, please do apply from Monday.

“The money should help to reduce some of the financial worry and strain that our small, niche and previously ineligible businesses have been experiencing.”

Applications can be made via the council’s website from today (Monday, June 1) and the closing date is Sunday, June 14.

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Businesses can not apply if they have already successfully claimed for financial support through the self-employment support scheme or the small business grant fund.