Businesses in Sefton who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can still apply for financial support

Sefton businesses have until the end of August to apply for the latest round of the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund.

To qualify, companies must have had a business rates charge to pay for the whole of the 2021/22 financial year. They need to have been in continuous occupation of the premises from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, unless required to close under COVID-19 restrictions.

And they must be able to provide evidence they have had a decline in turnover during that time compared to the same period in 2019/20.

Companies that have been awarded or are eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount covering retail, hospitality and leisure or nursery discount for the period April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, do not qualify. Neither will those that have exceeded the national subsidy control limits.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said: “The closing date for applications is Wednesday, August 31. Any received after this date cannot be considered. I would encourage any companies that think they are eligible to check the information on our website and fill out the online application form as soon as possible.

“The amount of funding available for this relief is a fixed sum, which means the exact amount of relief that will be awarded will depend on the number of eligible applications received.”

Details of the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund and an online application form are available by clicking here.