The leader of South Kesteven District Council has written to each and every one of the 2,200 businesses in the district to outline what government and other support is available.

Coun Kelham Cook made the move as new Government funding designed to help businesses across the country during the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak was launched yesterday (Friday) in South Kesteven.

The funding, which was announced by the Chancellor last week, will see two new schemes pay cash grants to eligible businesses in the district of either £10,000 or £25,000.

The Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund are being administered by InvestSK, the district's economic growth and regeneration company, on behalf of South Kesteven District Council.

Businesses eligible to receive the funding will be contacted by InvestSK before 1st April 2020. They don't need to make an application, but they do need to provide some information – including bank details – so the grant can be paid directly into their account.

Councillor Kelham Cooke, Chairman of InvestSK and Leader of South Kesteven District Council said: "Our records show that around 2,200 businesses in South Kesteven are eligible for one of these new cash grant payments.

"The funding provides crucial and very welcome support for many local businesses during this difficult and uncertain time so we're working hard to process the data and make payments as quickly as possible.

"Businesses that are eligible for funding will be contacted directly by InvestSK and are encouraged to complete the online Declaration Form immediately. We will receive the funding from Government on 1st April so, as soon as we have the information we need from the businesses, we can start to make their payments."

As well as administering this new funding programme, InvestSK also provides a central point of contact for local businesses concerned about the impact of Covid-19 on their operations.

Their dedicated business support team has fielded more than a hundred enquiries in recent weeks and has launched a new web page containing the latest Government information, advice and funding for businesses.

More details about the new cash grants and a link to the Declaration Form for eligible businesses to complete can be found at: www.investsk.co.uk/businessgrants