Rejected for COVID-19 Grants

[mforgey]

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is keeping safe and well!

I have a couple of questions with regards to the grants for businesses that the UK gov are offering.

I own a small company that was a startup just before the pandemic I have no staff. My company is the sole distributor of a European wheelchair.

I have applied for grants available from the UK gov and my local council but have been rejected. I have lost a huge amount of business and my company is barely surviving. Is there an appeal process or advice on how to obtain any other grants?

Kind Regards,

Mike

 

[WaveJumper]

Did they give you a reason for the unsuccessful applications

 

[BustersDogs]

I was rejected for every single grant that came out, until suddenly in May, after 14 months, I was eligble for one. I only found out because I appealed one that was rejected and they told me. Otherwise I would never have known!

 

[Stas Lawicki]

Try again for the ARG - you'll have to give a compelling reason for it (it's not just sticking your hand out and hoping they will say yes). Lots of businesses will be doing the same so you'll have to muscle your way into the process.

I know I might be an old romantic and think that people have a genuine reason to apply for the grants (they are not doing it to then close immediately afterwards) but share your future prospects too. You are applying to a human, make it real, not overly emotional but genuine. Describe the impact and express how you will use the grant to continue to deliver your amazing services locally and to the community in which you live/serve.

If you have no compelling reason or story, forget it.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Mike,

I am sorry for your plight - I am in the same boat.

A bit off topic, but why did you lose a lot of business? Surely, if you need a wheelchair, you will have to get one, so the demand would be the same?

 

[mforgey]

I was rejected for every single grant that came out, until suddenly in May, after 14 months, I was eligble for one. I only found out because I appealed one that was rejected and they told me. Otherwise I would never have known!

how do you appeal?

 

[mforgey]

Hello everyone,

Many thanks for the reply so far I appreciate the support yes I know how tough it is!

The reason why business could not operate during lockdown was primary duty fact that clients were told they were extremely clinically vulnerable in which they had to shield with government guidance.

Also the other part of the business was serving retail shops, cafes, restaurants etc that were under severe restrictions and also in the same boat of asking for financial help. This also impacted my business dealings.

Can I just ask a couple of questions:
how do I appeal?
What is the ARG?

 

[IanSuth]

Hello everyone,

Many thanks for the reply so far I appreciate the support yes I know how tough it is!

The reason why business could not operate during lockdown was primary duty fact that clients were told they were extremely clinically vulnerable in which they had to shield with government guidance.

Also the other part of the business was serving retail shops, cafes, restaurants etc that were under severe restrictions and also in the same boat of asking for financial help. This also impacted my business dealings.

Can I just ask a couple of questions:
how do I appeal?
What is the ARG?

Don't know re appeals but ARG is additional restrictions grant

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-i...the-coronavirus-additional-restrictions-grant