MORE than 900 small businesses in Gedling borough have received a share of over £17 million in grants to support them amid the coronavirus crisis.

The Government funding is being provided to local authorities – who are then able to offer grants of up to £10,000 to companies, and up to £25,000 for eligible leisure, retail and hospitality firms – as part of its small business grants scheme.

Since the scheme launched in March, £6.1 billion has been paid out to 491,725 business properties across England, including 913 in Gedling borough.

In total, Gedling Borough has been provided with £17,914,000, which could help as many as 1,479 businesses in the local area.

David Murphy runs a catering business in the borough and also is landlord at It’s Inn The Bank in Netherfield and applied for the scheme after being forced to temporarily close the pub due to lockdown.

He said: “I received my payment last Friday and it was a real lifesaver moment.”

Tom Randall, the Conservative MP for Gedling, said: “This is a hugely challenging time for businesses, especially for the smaller firms that are at the heart of our local community in Gedling.

“It’s hugely reassuring to know that the support announced by the Government has already reached 750 businesses in Gedling Borough, and is helping to protect businesses and people’s livelihoods.

“The Government is determined to ensure that people get 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 jobs or not being able to pay their bills.”

Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Michael Payne, praised his council teams for getting the money to where it was needed so quickly.

He said: “A huge thank you to Gedling Borough Council‘s Revenues Team for working flat out to swiftly create and administer our system for supporting local businesses.

“Nearly 1,000 Business Support Grants paid in a little over two weeks is a mammoth effort from our council staff and they continue to work hard everyday to encourage applications from eligible businesses who have not yet applied.

“If you own a business in the borough and believe you’re, eligible please do visit Gedling Borough Council’s website to apply for a grant.”

You can find out more about the scheme and also apply here: https://www.gedling.gov.uk/coronavirus/

Gedling MP Tom Randall has welcomed the opening of the Government’s coronavirus job retention scheme which allows employers in the borough to claim wages support.

Businesses across Gedling borough affected by the Coronavirus crisis will be able to claim up to £2,500 a month towards staff wages as part of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme, which went live on Monday (April 20).

Employers can apply for direct cash grants through HMRC’s new online portal – with the money expected to land in their bank accounts within six working days.

The job retention scheme, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak as part of a package of support to protect jobs and businesses, allows employers to claim for a cash grant of up to 80% of a furloughed employees wages, capped at £2,500 a month.

Millions of people across the UK are expected to benefit from the scheme, with businesses including Pret a Manger, Brewdog and Timpsons using it to ensure staff keep their jobs and are paid whilst many high street businesses are closed.

HMRC’s easy to use portal has a step by step application process and up to 5,000 staff will be manning phone lines and webchat services to ensure any questions can be answered.

Tom Randall, the Conservative MP for Gedling, said the scheme would now give much needed financial support to local businesses struggling during lockdown.

He said: “This is welcome news for business across Gedling in what are unprecedented times and I would advise those which are struggling to apply for the funding.

“I would urge everyone across my constituency to follow government guidelines to stay at home, to protect our NHS and save lives and if people do need help or advice please do not hesitate to contact myself and my team.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:“Our unprecedented job retention scheme will protect millions of jobs across the country and is now up and running.

“It’s vital that our economy gets up and running again as soon as it’s safe – and this scheme will allow that to happen.”

Last week the Chancellor announced the scheme will be extended for a further month until the end of June, to reflect continuing Covid-19 lockdown measures.