BUSINESSES across Warrington have already benefitted from £150,000 in Covid-19 support grants.

Warrington Borough Council has processed the first batch of support grants for businesses in the town, with the first £150,000 awarded and payments arriving in bank accounts from this week.

The council has received more than 1,300 applications for the government-funded Covid-19 support grants.

Businesses who have had to close, along with those who are struggling can apply for funding by completing the online application at warrington.gov.uk/business-support-coronavirus-update

There are two types of funding available:

• Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) – government grants of up to £3,000 per month for businesses required to close due to local lockdowns or targeted restrictions.

• Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) - funding secured by the council from the government to support closed businesses and those directly impacted by the lockdown, which will be administered on a discretionary basis.

This week, the council has also announced that Warrington taxi drivers who have suffered adverse financial impact during the coronavirus restrictions in place since October can also apply for ARG funding.

Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic development and innovation, Cllr Tom Jennings, said: “For many businesses, these grants will be a real lifeline, I’d like to reassure them that we are working round-the-clock to process all applications and get this money out without delay.”

Businesses who think they may be eligible but have not yet applied are being urged to do so now, by completing the application form at warrington.gov.uk/business-support-coronavirus-update

To apply for funding, visit warrington.gov.uk/business-support-coronavirus-update

You can get further information about support for your business during the Covid-19 lockdown at warringtonandco.com or candwgrowthhub.co.uk