GRANTS for businesses in the Maldon district area that were forced to close in lockdown are now available through the council website – and there is some discretionary help that some other businesses can apply for, too.

The support is for those businesses which were legally required to close and are listed for business rates, but there are also two discretionary grants:

• For businesses within the leisure, hospitality and accommodation sectors that are listed for business rates and were severely impacted by the Tier Two 'high' level restrictions that were in place across Essex before the national lockdown started on 5 November (so between 17 October and 4 November) and which have ongoing premises costs

• For businesses that weren't required to close but have still been severely impacted as a result of the second national lockdown. The council is giving priority in this category to applications from the leisure, hospitality, accommodation and events sectors and those in their supply chains that have ongoing premises costs.

More details of the Business Adaptation Grant scheme recently announced by Essex County Council will be available in the near future, but Maldon District Council has asked that businesses check the website regularly rather than call or contact them at the current time.

You can find out more about how to apply and check for updates on the Maldon District Council website here.