Business Support Grants for local businesses

As Bedford Borough enters the Coronavirus Tier Three - Very High Alert Level, businesses that are required to close will be receiving a business support grant.

These grants are set and funded by the Government at a national level and administered by the local council.

If your business received a grant from the Council due to the recent national lockdown because your business was required to close, and your business is required to close again under the Tier 3 restrictions a further grant will be paid automatically. These businesses have already been contacted by the Council to let them know when to expect their grant.

The Council will send the grants automatically by bank transfer on Monday 21 December, which means they should be in bank accounts by Wednesday 23 December.

The amount businesses will receive is based on their rateable value:

• Businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or less will receive £667
• Business with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive £1,000
• Business with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or above will receive £1,500

In addition, if a local business ratepayer believes they are eligible for this grant funding but did not receive a grant during the last lockdown they are asked to fill out the online form at www.bedford.gov.uk/bsg which will be available from Monday 21 December.

Councillor Michael Headley, Portfolio Holder for Finance said "We know that these COVID-19 restrictions and closures are having a drastic impact on local businesses, and by getting these grants out automatically we are helping businesses access this vital support funding as quickly as possible."