Maidstone businesses that have suffered a significant reduction in income due to Covid and do not qualify for other financial support will be able to apply for a share of £2.9m discretionary government grant.

The Additional Restrictions Grant provides the authority with the local discretion to support businesses that fall outside of other business grants.

Stephen McGinnes, Mid Kent Services director at the council, said: “This is expected to be the last round of funding under the scheme in its current form and aims to provide support through to the planned re-opening of the retail, hospitality, and leisure sector later this year.

“We have introduced a new category of award to reflect the difficult trading conditions experienced by businesses that have been able to remain open but have been adversely affected by the reduced footfall in our town centre and other retail destinations across the borough.

“If you are a Maidstone business that has suffered financial loss and not been able to claim other grants then we urge you to apply. It is a simple online application.”

Businesses that qualified for a grant between January 5 to February 16 and continue to meet the criteria for the scheme will be automatically awarded a further grant with no need for a further application.

Applications for this round of funding, which covers the period from the February 17 must be received no later than April 16.

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