Business owners in Babergh are being urged to explore the range of Covid-19 support grants open to support them through the current national lockdown.

The Covid-19 business support grants cover different periods of national and local lockdown restrictions and are available to businesses with a rateable property who have been mandated to close as part of the national restrictions as well as those who have been significantly financially impacted by lockdown measures.

Babergh has also opened phase two of the Additional Restrictions Grant, which unlike the other business grants, is a discretionary grant with criteria and eligibility set by the local authority.

The Additional Restrictions Grant is open to non-business rate paying businesses that are required to close such as mobile businesses or those who operate in a shared space as well as other businesses not required to close but who have seen a significant loss of earnings as a result of lockdown restrictions.

Businesses who received the national lockdown grant in November will automatically receive payments for the Tier 4 and current lockdown restrictions as long are their circumstances haven't changed. Any business owner who believes they are eligible but have not been contacted, or who are yet to claim a business support grant, should submit an application form.

Grants that cover the November 2020 lockdown are still open for applications and business owners are being encouraged to check the criteria for all grants as they may be eligible for more than one grant.

Applications for the Local Restrictions Support Grants and the Additional Restrictions Grant must be submitted by 31 March 2021.

Cllr Michael Holt, Babergh District Council's cabinet member for economic growth, said: "As our local businesses once again find themselves having to close, or unable to trade as usual, we are urging them to find what financial support is available to them.

"The number of grants can seem overwhelming, but there is advice and guidance available on our website to ensure that every business can access all the grants they are entitled to.

"In addition to the number of Government business grants, we have also launched phase two of the Additional Restrictions Grant. This is open to a wider number of businesses who may not have been eligible for any of the Local Restriction Support Grants. I would strongly encourage business owners to review all the grant criteria and apply as soon as possible."

Babergh council has paid out Local Restriction Support Grants worth more than £10million since November and are continuing to make payments to eligible businesses in the districts.

A table breaking down all the available Covid-19 business support grants can be found here...

For any queries about the Covid-19 business grants or application process, please contact: [email protected]

For more information about the Covid-19 business grants or to apply for a grant, please visit www.babergh.gov.uk