SMALL businesses and traders that have slipped through the net of government support could still get a helping hand says Thurrock Council's lead councillor for finance.

Portfolio holder and cabinet member Cllr Shane Hebb says a new initiative, locally designed by Thurrock Council with business sector input, could be "be just the lifeline that many smaller and micro sized businesses which have suffered financially as a result of coronavirus are looking for."

Cllr Hebb adds: "The new government funded Discretionary Business Grant Scheme ensures maximum distribution of funding to those that most need it and have thus far not been eligible for grant support.

"It is aimed at small businesses with fixed property costs which were not eligible for the other grants; businesses like bed and breakfasts or those located in shared offices or in business, science or industrial parks.

"I urge any business owner that thinks their business could be eligible to visit the website and begin the application process."

More information about the scheme and details of how to apply can be found on the council's [L}https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/business-rates/coronavirus-covid-19-discretionary-grants [L+]website.[.L]

The first phase of applications will be assessed on 12 June, businesses are urged to submit their applications before this deadline.

Grants under this scheme are for:

• small and micro businesses

• businesses with relatively high ongoing fixed property-related costs

• businesses that occupy property, or part of a property, with a rateable value or annual rent or annual mortgage payments below £51,000

Applicants will be given priority if they are a:

• small business in a shared office or other flexible workspace – for example, a unit in an industrial park, a science park or an incubator that does not have its own business rates assessment

• regular market trader with fixed building costs, such as rent, but without a business rates assessment

• bed and breakfast that pays council tax instead of business rates

• charity in receipt of Charitable Business Rates Relief, that would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief

Businesses are not eligible if they can receive payment from any of the following schemes:

• Small Business Grant Fund

• Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant

• The Fisheries Response Fund

• Domestic Seafood Supply Scheme (DSSS)

• The Zoos Support Fund

• The Dairy Hardship Fund

Businesses are also not eligible if they:

• are in administration or insolvent, or have a striking-off notice issued against them

• were not still trading on 11 March 2020