Urgent reminder for businesses in Leeds ahead of COVID-19 property costs grant deadline

Businesses battling to deal with the effects of COVID-19 restrictions have been urged to make sure they do not miss out on funding support from Leeds City Council.

The council last month launched a scheme designed to help hard-hit businesses cover fixed non-domestic property costs such as mortgage payments, rent and service charges.

An initial two-week window for applications to the fund – which is open to severely-affected businesses in all sectors – closes at midnight tomorrow, December 8.

And the council is now encouraging eligible business people across Leeds to get their requests for assistance in ahead of the deadline.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“We are determined to do everything we can to help our businesses during these very difficult and concerning times.

“I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible for support from this particular scheme to submit their grant application before midnight tomorrow.”

The property costs fund is one of a number of council initiatives offering businesses a vital lifeline as the economic impact of coronavirus continues to bite.

The others, which will remain open after midnight tomorrow, include a scheme targeted at businesses forced to close during the national lockdown that ended on December 2 and one focused on the hospitality and accommodation sector.

The council has already awarded nearly 3,000 grants worth a combined £4.75m via the national lockdown scheme alone.

For further information about the various funds – including the property costs scheme – and links to the online application process, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/business.

Eligible businesses can ask for help from more than one scheme and could receive as much as £10,000 across the board.

The property costs fund is not open to businesses that are home-based or have property costs under £4,000 a year.

ENDS