Rutland businesses have until 5pm this Friday 19 June to apply for COVID-19 funding through the government's Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund.

The Fund aims to provide financial support for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. A grant of up to £10,000 is available.

Qualifying businesses also need to demonstrate they have significant fixed property costs, have experienced a significant drop in income due to COVID-19 restriction measures and have not previously received any form of business grant from the Council.

Rutland County Council is following government guidance and prioritising the following types of businesses for a discretionary grant:

1. Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces. Examples include units in premises which do not have their own business rates assessment;

1. Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment;

1. Bed & Breakfasts which pay Council Tax instead of business rates

Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate

Other businesses which fall outside of these categories can apply but will only be assessed if there is enough funding available.

Coun Gordon Brown, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance at Rutland County Council, said: "We've had dozens of small businesses apply for financial support through the government's Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund.

"The Fund has been set up specifically for the types of small and micro businesses that are not eligible for other government support schemes. There is still time to apply before applications close. Successful applicants can expect to receive their grants in early July."

Businesses must provide the right supporting information in sufficient detail for their application to be processed.

For more information on funding for local businesses or to apply for a grant, please visit: www.rutland.gov.uk/covidbusiness.