Call to help Northumberland tourism industry as businesses 'fall through the cracks' of Government support

The Conservative-run authority says that despite its best efforts to help firms survive, its newly-created Business Support Hub is seeing an increasing number which are being overlooked in the available funding schemes, with the county’s tourism sector a particular concern.

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The council is working extremely hard to get grant payments to businesses as quickly as possible and has already paid out more than £59million of the Government’s small business grants to 5,255 companies.

However, there are a small proportion of businesses who are not eligible under the conditions of the grant schemes.

Council leader Peter Jackson said: “Our businesses are absolutely critical to the future prosperity of the county.

“It is a very challenging time for our businesses and employers, and we want to assure them that we are doing everything that we possibly can to provide help, support and advice.

“That is why I have written to the Chancellor urging the Government to consider further packages of support to small businesses that are falling between the cracks, to provide vital support that they need.”

Coun Cath Homer, the cabinet member for tourism, added: “Tourism is the bedrock of Northumberland’s economy, contributing over £1billion and attracting over 10 million visitors to the county last year, which given the current circumstances, will be greatly reduced this year.

“It is therefore vital we do everything we can to support these businesses, which will help lead the economic recovery once current restrictions are eased.”

This could include, for example, tapered support for small businesses that fall outside eligibility for business rates relief, as well as provisions to ensure business rate relief for landlords also benefits their commercial tenants.

Coun Jackson said: “The council stands ready to work with the Government to ensure the right support gets to those businesses most in need at this time and encourage them to look at a comprehensive package that strengthens our local economy and our recovery.”

The council’s business hub is at https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/coronavirus/Support-for-Businesses-coronavirus.aspx