Sponsored Editorial: Produced in association with Medway Council

Medway Council is encouraging local businesses which have been impacted by the government restrictions in place since November 2020, to apply for financial support.

The council has received more than £8m Additional Restriction Grant (ARG2) funding from the government to support businesses and sole traders since November 2020.

Both large and small businesses, as well as sole traders, are encouraged to apply as they could receive funding if they were forced to close, or had a 30% or more loss in revenue since the second national lockdown last year.

Businesses can apply for ARG funding if they are actively trading from a property in Medway and are not eligible for a Local Restrictions Grant.

This is a discretionary scheme, and the funding has been split into two elements; a scheme which will provide grants to businesses impacted by national lockdown restrictions and a programme of business support interventions which will be developed over the coming months.

In order to be eligible for the funding, businesses or sole traders must have been affected by the government restrictions, which have been in place since November 5 2020, and meet one of the following government criteria...

• Pay business rates and had business income reduced by at least 30%
• Not pay business rates and had business income reduced by at least 3%
• Not pay business rates and been forced to close by the government

Businesses must also...

• Have ongoing fixed costs, excluding employment costs
• Not be in administration or insolvent where a striking-off notice has been made
• Not have received (including this grant) more than £335,000 in total business grants subsidy allowances within the previous three financial years

* Grant payments will be based on business size, fixed costs and evidence provided

Businesses can visit Medway Council’s website for full information on the periods covered.

To apply online, visit medway.gov.uk/stepforwardmedway

If additional support is required with an application, email businessandskills@medway.gov.uk.

Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: “We have continued to support local businesses throughout the pandemic, and the Additional Restrictions Grant is one of the many ways this has been made possible.

"The scheme has helped ease the financial worries associated with the lockdown from many small and large companies around the area, therefore we would encourage anyone who is eligible to apply for the grant while it is available.

"There is also a wide range of advice and support on our website. Medway is resilient, and I would encourage residents to support our local businesses during these difficult times.’’

To find out more about the support available, visit medway.gov.uk/coronavirusbusinesses