Cash lifeline for Fylde coast small businesses now being handed out

More than a hundred million pounds is being distributed to struggling businesses across the Fylde coast to support them during the Covid-19 crisis.
Councils including Blackpool are distributing business grantsCouncils including Blackpool are distributing business grants
Councils including Blackpool are distributing business grants

Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde councils have all now received their funding allocations as part of the Government's small business and retail relief grant scheme in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Blackpool has received £59m, Wyre £32m and Fylde £21m.

Blackpool Council leader Coun Simon Blackburn said he had spoken to Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard during a conference call last week about concerns businesses were having difficulty accessing government backed loans.

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Coun Blackburn said: "He was very helpful, and it would appear that the situation has now improved.

"The council is in the process of distributing £59m of support to local businesses, and rebilling everyone affected by changes to business rates.

"Our Blackpool Unlimited website has seen a huge surge in registrations, and we're working very hard to make sure that businesses get all the support it is in our power to give them."

Wyre Council has launched a new business support scheme to facilitate paying eligible businesses their share of the funding.

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In one day it had already made payments of £3.7m to 320 businesses with further payments being made for the foreseeable future until all eligible businesses receive their grant.

Wyre Council leader Coun David Henderson said: "Wyre Council has been working around the clock to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

"It is expected that around 3,000 businesses will be eligible for the grants and we are doing everything we can to ensure these businesses receive their grants as quickly as possible.

"We would urge businesses who have not yet applied to do so as soon as possible by completing the form on our website at www.wyre.gov.uk/businesssupport.”

Fylde Council said it had received more than 700 applications to date with its finance team working hard to ensure the money was distributed quickly.