How hundreds of Sunderland firms and charities can get up to £10,000 of coronavirus support cash

Grants of up to £10,000 are now available across Sunderland following the launch this week of the Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund.

Sunderland City Council has £2.412m to distribute and will largely be following government guidance in prioritising bids from the following types of applicants:

Small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, which do not have their own business rates assessment; Market traders with fixed property-related costs such as rent; Bed and breakfast businesses which pay council tax instead of business rates and Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief

The fund aims to plug gaps left by the strict criteria used for the Government’s Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund.

Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council, said: “The launch of this fund will be welcome news for some of the businesses and charities that were unable to

access the first round of business support launched by Government in March.

“It’s been a challenging time for many Sunderland businesses and charities, and we are pleased to be able to explore other ways of supporting those that have got by without funding so far.”

All applicants must demonstrate loss of income related to covid-19 as part of the application process.

Mr McIntyre added: “There is a limited pot of money available, and a limited window in which businesses and charities must apply, so we would urge those who think they may be eligible to read the

criteria and get their online application submitted as soon as they can.

“This will give us the potential to develop criteria for a second phase of the Local Authority Discretionary Fund targeting key sectors for the local economy if funds remain available.”

Applications need to be submitted by Sunday, June 21, and further details about eligibility criteria are available at www.sunderland.gov.uk/discretionaryfund.

The online application form can be found at www.sunderland.gov.uk/discretionaryform.

Further information on the Government’s general support for business linked to coronavirus is available at www.sunderland.gov.uk/covid-19business.

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