Town Hall helpdesk set up to aid Blackpool businesses in coronavirus crisis

Blackpool Council has set up the dedicated point of contact to help businesses to understand and get access to a share of the £330bn package of rescue measures announced by the Chancellor earlier this week.

His aid included temporary loans, rate relief and cash grants to help meet ongoing costs.

Among the measures are a business rates retail holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, with an additional £25k one-off grant for premises with a rateable between £15,000 and £51,000.

There is also a one-off grant of £10,000 to businesses currently eligible for Small Business Rate Relief.

A Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offers loans of up to £5m to companies with less than £41m turnover.

There is also a new lending facility to larger firms to raise working capital via the purchase of short-term debt.

Finally support is available through HMRC’s Time to Pay service for companies with outstanding tax affairs.

Local authorities are awaiting further guidance on how to administer rate relief and one-off grants – businesses do not need to register with the local authority as details are already held.

The council’s helpdesk will be manned by business support experts assisted by colleagues in the business rates department.

Once a business registers, the council’s team will then respond with tailored help and guidance.

Coun Simon Blackburn, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The impact of the escalating coronavirus pandemic on the business community is on an unprecedented scale. Over the past few days we have already witnessed the temporary closure of a number of our businesses.

“The emergency measures announced by the Chancellor are welcome. But if businesses are to get the financial support that they need right now, many will need help in understanding how they can access the support package.

“Our business support team have a wealth of experience and along with our business rates team, they will be there to try to help our business community get the support they so desperately need.”

Updates will be posted at BlackpoolUnlimited.com website.

Businesses should use this link: www.blackpoolunlimited.com/c19business-support to complete an enquiry form.