More than £670,000 has been handed out in discretionary grants to Gravesham firms - and now there's the chance for more to claim.

Gravesham council is reopening applications for grants designed to help local businesses who have been affected by Covid-19 restrictions.

Local businesses and charitable organisations which are either not registered for Business Rates and have been required to close during lockdown, or who are able to show they have been severely impacted during the same period, could qualify for grants of between £500 and £3,000.

All eligible applications, with the exception of home-based businesses, received no later than March 31 will also be considered for a one-off top up sum worth between £4,000 and £9,000.

Cllr John Burden, Leader of Gravesham council, said: “Throughout the pandemic we have made supporting our local businesses a priority and have worked to get grant support distributed as quickly and fairly as possible.

“So far, we have awarded more than £670,000 in discretionary grants to almost 120 businesses and the reopened scheme has no deadline for applications and will be available until further notice.

“I hope as many of our valued local businesses as possible check whether they are eligible and can benefit from the scheme, including our thriving micro business community."

Owners of businesses unsure whether they are eligible but which have been severely impacted by Covid-19 related restrictions should email: economic.development@gravesham.gov.uk to arrange a confidential call back for further advice.

For full details of the discretionary scheme and to apply, visit here.

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