Wirral Council have today (10th Feb) launched their ‘Local Business Support Grant’.
This is a joint scheme funded by Additional Restrictions Grant being delivered by the six local authorities in the Liverpool City Region and the Combined Authority to support businesses affected by restrictions and/or financially impacted by the pandemic, including those that have not been able to access previous grants.
There are broadly four categories of business that the scheme will support:
A. Businesses that have been ordered to close (as from 5 January 2021), are based in commercial premises, are not liable for business rates, and not eligible for Local Restrictions Grant (closed)
B. Supply chain businesses that predominantly supply the hospitality and leisure sectors and are based in commercial premises
C. Self-employed / sole trader / home based business (that predominantly works in or supplies the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors) / licenced market trader
D. Businesses in any sector that can demonstrate a loss of at least 40% in sales/revenue due to Covid-19 (including self-employed / sole trader / home-based business)
For category D, to evidence the 40% loss in revenue, a statement from a qualified independent accountant will be required, and a downloadable template letter will be provided for accountants to complete.
Businesses are not excluded from applying for this grant if they maintain their own accounts but will require the template letter to be completed by a qualified independent accountant to confirm their losses.
Wirral Council encourage businesses that do not retain an accountant to objectively review their accounts before submitting these to an accountant in order to obtain the required letter. This is an order to avoid unnecessary expense on the part of a potential applicant.
The minimum grant award is expected to be £3750 and demand is expected to outstrip available funds. Applicants are therefore advised to apply early within the application window which is closing at 5pm on Friday 26th February.
Full details of the grant and link to an online application can be found here.
Wirral Chamber Business Support Helpline is available to provide advice and support to local businesses on the Council’s behalf, they can be reached at or on 0151 650 6982.
