Hull City Council is preparing to distribute grants to businesses which may be suffering during tough economic times brought on by coronavirus.
It follows a Government announcement that businesses across the country are entitled for grants and other support.
Business-owners in the city will be contacted by the local authority to ask for details of their business to enable payments to be made.
The council will then distribute the funds based on guidance from Government.
Details are now emerging on what support will be available for businesses.
Funding has not yet been distributed by Government to administer grants, but this is expected to be in place at the beginning of April, with payments being made in mid-April.
Councillor Daren Hale, deputy leader of Hull City Council, said “We are watching very closely the impact on all businesses, but in particularly those small business employed within the hospitality and retail sector.
“It is essential we manage to keep the independent traders within the city centre viable and operating, where appropriate, in line with Government guidelines. These are difficult times and the council is doing all it can to support local businesses.”
The council’s business support team has received more than 200 calls in recent days and is pushing Government for the funds and guidance to be made available as soon as possible.
Last week, the Government announced it will pay the wages of employees unable to work due to coronavirus. It will pay 80 per cent of salary for staff who are kept on by their employer, covering wages of up to £2,500 a month.
Learn more about support available to businesses nationally here.
Businesses encouraged to contact the council using the email address business.support@hullcc.gov.uk to ensure a quick reply.
Those without email access can call 01482 300301.
The council’s website also has details on public health, small business rates relief and more business rates information.
