Support for Croydon businesses hardest hit by lockdown

Croydon Council is offering further support to businesses hardest hit by the pandemic to aid their recovery.

The business recovery grant will provide £5,000 grants, out of £590,000 of funding, to businesses that have seen a loss of income of at least 10  per cent over the last two years.

Grants of up to £2,000 are also available through the Black, Asian and minority ethnic grant to help Croydon-based entrepreneurs. These grants come from £80,000 of funds to support the community, which evidence shows has been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19.

Businesses considering applying for these grants are asked to review the eligibility criteria, apply online, and be sure to include all supporting information needed to process the application. All funding will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

All are invited to join industry leaders at Business Live 2022 – a day packed with tips to help firms recover, grow and face the future with confidence.

Attendees to the free event will hear from keynote speakers and have the opportunity to join discussions focused on economic recovery and the role jobs, skills and culture play in creating a more inclusive, greener and resilient Croydon.

Local businesses can also now apply for a free 15-month membership with the Croydon division of the South East London Chamber of Commerce. Membership offers support with finding additional funding opportunities, workshops, webinars and training. Businesses can apply online entering code: croydon2022, to take advantage of the offer.

All funding to support these initiatives comes from the government additional restrictions fund given to the council to support local businesses most impacted by the pandemic.

Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, cabinet member for communities, safety and business recovery, said: “With Covid restrictions lifted nationally last week and more people feeling confident being out and about, it’s a positive time for our local businesses and the wider economy.

“The new grants and additional support have been designed not only to help areas of our business community most impacted by the pandemic but also to help others with their recovery, whether that is managing their cash flow or looking to build resilience for the future.”