As part of the Government’s strategy to support UK businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, the Chancellor recently announced that businesses in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief would be eligible to receive grant funding of £10,000.
It is our understanding that one of PM+M’s local councils, Blackburn with Darwen, now has the funds in place to begin distributing the grants to thousands of businesses but are struggling to get hold of business bank account details to issue payments to those who are eligible.
For those businesses who already pay rates by direct debit, the council should have your bank account details. However, for those who have already qualified for 100% business rates relief, no direct debit will be in place and as a result, the council may not have your bank account details.
Councils are in the process of writing to businesses for whom they hold no bank account details, however due to the current lockdown, it is likely that business premises are closed and letters will not be read.
Therefore, if you are a small business eligible for the grant, we urge you to get in touch with your local council as soon as possible to provide your bank account details so they can process your grant payment. It’s worth noting that whilst our local council has already issued payments of over £1m, there is still over £3.5m waiting to be paid.
Visit Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council‘s website to read more about the support available for businesses.
For further advice, please get in touch with your usual PM+M representative or call our reception on 01254 679131.
This information is correct as of 7 April 2020. This blog is for general guidance only. Recipients should not act upon any of the information provided without seeking specific professional advice tailored to your circumstances, requirements or needs. Please contact PM+M before making any decisions based on any matters relating to this blog.
