Supporting Ashford businesses during the COVID-19 crisis

Known for its proactive and business-like approach, Ashford Borough Council stayed true to its reputation during the COVID-19 pandemic and played a key role in supporting local businesses through the different business schemes available.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Council has paid out over £27m in government grants to over 2,300 businesses across the borough.

Coronavirus Business Grants Scheme

When the scheme was first introduced, the council identified eligible local businesses, and contacted business owners that didn’t come forward straight away to benefit from the scheme. The Council has paid over 90% of local businesses eligible for grants. Businesses who receive Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief could apply for a grant of up to £10,000. Business in retail, leisure, and hospitality with a rateable value between £1 and £15,000 could apply for a grant of £10,000, whilst those with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 could apply for a £25,000 grant.

Ashford-based serviced accommodation provider Emma Howitt, from Pure Abodes, benefited from the scheme and commented:
“The grant that we received as part of the government’s coronavirus support has made a huge difference. Ashford Borough Council made the process very easy and acted fast to ensure that businesses like ours received the money quickly. I know this is not necessarily the same in the rest of the country, so I feel extremely lucky.

“The funding has meant that we can take on more properties, help other serviced accommodation providers to house those in need and has given us confidence for the future.”

A travel company, based near Ashford, who was also able to benefit from the Council’s funding schemes, commented:

“I’d just like to commend you for your response to the current situation. Ashford Borough Council have been so refreshingly pro-active and helpful to the businesses under its jurisdiction, it has been such a relief to have such a speedy and efficient system for information and application.”

Discretionary Business Grants Scheme

Ashford Borough Council’s Discretionary Business Grants scheme provides grants of up to £10,000 to small and micro businesses who were negatively affected by the pandemic and unable to apply for earlier government schemes.

The scheme has a total of around £1.4m to award to businesses in the Ashford borough and, according to government guidelines, prioritises:

• Bed and Breakfasts who offer serviced accommodation and pay council tax.

• Businesses in shares spaces.

• Charities.

• Market traders.

Other businesses were also invited to apply but were not considered until grants were distributed to eligible businesses across these four sectors.