Almost £13m in grants issued to businesses in Arun district

Within a few days of the government finalising details of one-off funding for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), the council had updated its systems to enable eligible businesses to register and payments to be processed as a matter of urgency, a council spokesman said.

There are still more than 700 businesses yet to apply – and the council would like to hear from them to ensure they are receiving all the support they may be eligible for.

Businesses can apply via the council’s website.

A spokesman said: “Our teams are working hard, seven days a week, to process the small business grant funds as a priority.

“We know how important it is to get these funds to our local businesses and if you have already applied, be assured that we are working on your request.”

Applications for the grant undergo the following process.

Businesses should check their eligibility (information on our website) and then gather all relevant information before completing an online form.

A confirmation email will then be sent and, after a verification process, those eligible will receive notification that a payment will be made.

Payments will be made to the registered ratepayers business account via bacs.

Councillor Dr James Walsh, Leader of Arun District Council, said: “Small businesses are vital to our district and ensuring that those who are eligible receive the funds as quickly as possible is our priority.

“Council officers are applying tremendous dedication, working seven days a week to ensure speed of payment.

“I ask those who are yet to be paid to please bear with us while we plough through the applications for those who are yet to apply, please don’t hesitate in submitting your request.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.