Businesses which need to access urgent financial help from the Government due to Coronavirus can do so from today by using an on-line form set up by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

The council's Invest in Bath business support service has a dedicated team to give targeted help to companies during the pandemic and the new online form aims to speed up the process so that most payments will be made within weeks.

In response to Covid-19 the Government is offering support for small businesses via two grant funding schemes: the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

Any business currently in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate relief may be eligible for a £10,000 cash grant. Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value above £15,000 and below £51,000 may be eligible for a £25,000 cash grant.

The online form to register for a business grant can be found here: at their web site

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development, said: "Supporting our residents and our local businesses during this pandemic is the key priority for us in these unprecedented times. Our Invest in Bath team is here to help them through this period of economic shock. If your business is eligible to receive a grant, it's vital that you complete the simple online form as soon as possible in order to receive the financial support the Government is offering."

In addition to the grants, all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England will receive a 100 per cent business rate holiday for the next 12 months. Eligibility is based on rateable value and having been registered as a business rate payer on or before 11 March 2020.

Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy Leader, said: "Although Government guidance states business need do nothing in order to access the support, the vast majority of our local businesses liaise with us via their business address so are unable to be contacted at the moment. I'd urge all our small businesses to fill in the form at their earliest opportunity."

To contact the Invest in Bath team, email [email protected]