Businesses in South Kesteven who have been forced to close due to national lockdown restrictions to help control the spread of Covid-19 can apply for Government grant support

from InvestSK.

Two programmes are available offering eligible businesses between £1,334 and £3,000 in grant funding for every four weeks they're required to remain closed. The restrictions currently in place run from 5 November to 2 December and funding applications will close on Friday 4 December.

Under the Local Restrictions Support Grant, which is designed to support rate paying businesses, applicants' eligibility and the amount they can claim will be assessed based on the rateable value of their business premises.

The Additional Restriction Grant is to support businesses that will continue to be severely affected during the coming months.

South Kesteven District Council will be developing detailed guidance for this programme in due course but, in the meantime, some of the funding is being prioritised to support non-rate paying overnight accommodation businesses forced to close during the current national restriction period.

Working on behalf of and in partnership with South Kesteven District Council, both grant programmes are being administered by InvestSK - the district's economic growth and regeneration company - with full details and the application form available on the InvestSK

website: www.investsk.co.uk/businessgrants Cllr Kelham Cooke, Chairman of InvestSK and Leader of South Kesteven District Council, said: "The latest restrictions on businesses are a blow to the economy but are crucial in helping to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and protect the health of our residents. "I'm pleased InvestSK is once again administering the Government's grant programmes locally, providing crucial support for so many businesses in South Kesteven - just as we did during the first national lockdown. "We know from speaking to businesses then how important it is to get this funding processed and out as quickly as possible, so I'm really pleased that we've committed to paying eligible businesses that correctly complete all sections of the application form within five working days. "During the first week of the two grant schemes going live, we processed 311 applications and paid out £492,000 of Government support. If you're eligible for this funding, I'd encourage you to visit the InvestSK website and submit your application before the closing date on 4 December." If you're not eligible for grant funding but would like to discuss other finance options or more general business support, contact InvestSK by emailing [email protected]