Rent or mortgage cut off limit increased to less than £100,000

Bedford Borough Council is urging any businesses that may be eligible for support through a discretionary business support grant to get in touch by Friday 28 August.

The Government has allocated £1.6 million to Bedford Borough Council for the discretionary grants scheme. To date the Council has received hundreds of forms, and any businesses that haven’t already had a response will hear back in the next week.

You may be eligible for a discretionary grant if you:

  • Have experienced a significant reduction in income due specifically to the coronavirus measures, and
  • Have fixed costs in respect of business premises located within Bedford Borough, and
  • Have rent or mortgage costs of less than £100,000 per year, and
  • Are small or micro businesses or are charities or similar not-for-profit

Previously, businesses were only eligible for assistance if they had rent or mortgage costs of less than £51,000. This has been extended to help more local businesses. Cllr Michael Headley, portfolio holder for Finance, said:

“Our team is working really hard to process all the applications we receive, and support as many local businesses as possible.

“The Government has imposed a strict deadline of Friday 28 August for applications to be received and this is the last chance for businesses to apply for a grant.

“If your business fits the new criteria for the scheme please get in touch with the Council as soon as possible- before Friday 28 August- to apply for this grant funding.”

Find out more and fill in the form at www.bedford.gov.uk/bsg.