South Derbyshire District Council says it is to distribute a further £646,000 of Additional Restrictions Grants.

Eligible businesses can now apply for one of two new COVID business grants.

The Council is offering one-off grants of either £2,500 or £5,000 as part of its Events and festivals summer rescue scheme.

This scheme will support event and festival management companies, wedding and event organisers, suppliers to the performing arts, festival, weddings and funerals industries, rated venues whose main business is an event venue and independent travel agencies. Large businesses (those with over 250 employees) are not eligible.

Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate that their total trading income for 2020/2021 was less than their total trading income for 2019/2020. They will also be able to provide evidence of cancelled events or bookings.

Councillor Kevin Richards, South Derbyshire District Council's Leader, said: "We are proud to have distributed more than £24 million in grant funding to support businesses in South Derbyshire affected by COVID-19.

"Although social distancing restrictions have now been lifted, many businesses have been affected by the cancellation of local events, whether venues or suppliers. These grants are available to businesses who have previously received other COVID grants from the Council, but businesses should check the terms and conditions thoroughly before applying."

The Council is also offering grants between £1,200.15 and £8,100 as part of its Discretionary restart grant scheme.

This scheme will give out one-off grants to businesses that were affected by the lockdowns but have not yet received a Restart Grant. This could include businesses that were required to close during lockdowns, and businesses that were able to remain open but whose trade was affected because they rely on closed businesses/industries, such as recruitment agencies. Large businesses (those with over 250 employees) are not eligible.

Councillor Richards continued: "We are aware that there are businesses who were forced to close or whose business has been adversely affected because they rely on businesses which were forced to close. I would encourage any businesses who meets the criteria to come forward and apply for the grant funding. The process is simple – businesses can apply by completing an online form and providing the evidence required."

There is no deadline for the grants but they are available on a first come-first served basis and may close at any time.

You can find out more details of available grants HERE.