Small businesses in the Swadlincote area may now be able to apply for a grant under a new discretionary scheme.

Businesses with premises in South Derbyshire that were not eligible for one of the original COVID-19 business grants could now be eligible.

South Derbyshire District Council has received approximately £710,000 in funding.

That will be used to award grants that will typically range from £500 to £10,000 to small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs that were not able to apply for one of the original COVID-19 business grants because they do not pay, or are not liable for business rates.

Businesses that may be eligible include:

Businesses that pay rates within their rent/service charge These include businesses in properties where the landlord pays the business rates, or businesses within wider rated areas such as marinas, garden centres, salons, former mill buildings and industrial estates.

Bed and breakfasts/self-catered units that pay Council Tax. These businesses must have relevant licences/registrations in place.

Regular market traders with fixed premises costs. This does not include occasional traders at events and fayres etc.

Charities that claim mandatory charity rate relief. Charities that would be eligible for Small Business Rate Relief (i.e. charities with a single premise, with a rateable value of under £14,999) if they did not claim mandatory charity rate relief.

Any business that has received a grant under the original COVID-19 business grants scheme may not apply.

Councillor Martyn Ford, South Derbyshire District Council's leader said: "We are committed to helping local businesses who have suffered hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and I'd encourage eligible businesses to apply for the grants which are available.

"To be eligible for a discretionary grant, businesses must be small, under 50 employees, and must also be able to demonstrate they have seen a significant drop in income due to coronavirus restriction measures.

Please make your application as soon as possible."

The deadline for applications is midnight on Wednesday 17 June.

In order that as many businesses as possible receive support, business owners that are eligible for the COVID-19 Self-Employment Support Scheme will not be prioritised.

Any businesses who think they may be eligible should visit  Discretionary Business Grantswhere they can download the eligibility criteria and find out more information.

Applications will be assessed in mid-June, and payments should be paid from late June/early July.