Cheshire East Council has received its funding allowance from government, which means the process of distributing grants to businesses has now started.
Eligible businesses, who have registered their bank account details with the council, should begin to receive their grant funding - via BACS transfer - automatically from 6 April onwards.
Receiving a government business grant is a free and automatic service. There is no lengthy application process and no need for businesses to employ an agency service or broker.
For businesses that do not pay business rates by direct debit or qualify for small business rate relief, the council does not hold any bank details and will be unable to make grant payments via cheque. These businesses are advised to register their bank details using a simple online form that can be found at cheshireeast.gov.uk/business and then clicking on the ‘Information for employers and businesses about Covid-19' link.
During this time the business team will be exceptionally busy issuing vital funds to businesses across the borough. The council asks that anyone with questions, for example how long will it take for a grant to be issued, visits the Covid-19 business pages on the website first, at cheshireeast.gov.uk/business as these pages are regularly updated with the latest information. This will ensure that council telephone lines are kept free for emergency issues only.