Businesses in Atherstone and the rest of North Warwickshire who have been affected by lockdown restrictions may now apply for a grant from the Borough Council.

This week, Council will begin making support grant payments to businesses that have been forced to close during the current lockdown period.

Eligible businesses will include non-essential retail, leisure, personal care, sports facilities and hospitality businesses (even if the latter are still open for takeaway).

Leader of the Council, Cllr David Wright said, "We know the arrival of these grants will offer much needed support for the businesses of North Warwickshire, especially those who had to close their doors for the second time this year.

"During the first lockdown, North Warwickshire Borough Council was the quickest across Warwickshire to issue these urgently needed payments we know how much these grants are needed, and we aim to get these payments issued as fast as possible."

Businesses will need to apply to North Warwickshire Borough Council via a simple application form on their website.

The information needed in the form will include the following as well as bank details:

a. Business Rate Payer name

b. Address of the business premises

c. Rate Payer email address

d. Number of employees

e. Sector

f. Unique identifier (Companies House Number) North Warwickshire Borough Council will also be able to make payments to other businesses which do not qualify for the scheme above via an Additional Restrictions Grant (ASG). The aim of this grant is to provide appropriate support for both the financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22.