Small Business Grant - HELP!

[C Taylor]

Hi all,

I hope you're keeping well throughout all this. I have been chasing Sefton council from right after the grants were announced and have only heard back as of a few days ago.

Right before all this struck, we invested in a new studio in Liverpool and have had to close due to Covid (just a few days after open.)

We have been trying to get the grant of £10,000 to help us get through this hard time however have not been able to.

As of the last thing hearing back, they asked for some documentation to get things in order for us & this was okay however when I sent our documentation over, they said we need to be eligible for SBRR as of the 11th - all of our documentation was signed on the 12th however we did have keys and leave the deposit around a week before this therefore were the new tenants for the unit already.

I'm wondering if anyone will have had experience with this and got some advice or are we simply completely out of luck?

Hope someone can help!

 

[Porky]

Very frustrating but the scheme is unfortunately not a given. As discussed on these threads loads of us have missed out due to one technicality or another.

Your options are limited;
* Obviously appeal the decision and clarify why
* if it wasn’t paid to you who was paying the rates prior to that date? Could they claim and split it with you? probably not it the rules but if they have already paid it they won’t pay out twice.
* see if you can establish who the head of the council is and make contact with them and explain why you need the grant.
* lobby your local MP and stress you need the grant and their help

The council have a top up to the fund and terms will be available shortly and also a hardship fund you can try and apply to but other than that it’s not looking good tbh. I think I’m out of ideas now - sorry

 

[Airwolf1]

There has to be a cut off date and on this occasion it sounds like you just missed that. I would also use the start date as per the tenancy agreement as the move in date. The date here is the key thing unfortunately.

 

[C Taylor]

Very frustrating but the scheme is unfortunately not a given. As discussed on these threads loads of us have missed out due to one technicality or another.

Your options are limited;
* Obviously appeal the decision and clarify why
* if it wasn’t paid to you who was paying the rates prior to that date? Could they claim and split it with you? probably not it the rules but if they have already paid it they won’t pay out twice.
* see if you can establish who the head of the council is and make contact with them and explain why you need the grant.
* lobby your local MP and stress you need the grant and their help

The council have a top up to the fund and terms will be available shortly and also a hardship fund you can try and apply to but other than that it’s not looking good tbh. I think I’m out of ideas now - sorry

As a heads up, I've followed your advice and reached out to the head of council alongside some local MPs explaining the exact situation.

If I hear anything back or have some sort of result I will be sure to give an update. Thank you for reaching out to help & wish you the best!