BRADFORD Council has announced a further application round to enable additional businesses and charities to apply for grant support.

The second round of the £6.8m Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund opened yesterday and will include small manufacturers, suppliers to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, enterprise centres and local charities and childcare providers who have not received a business support grant.

The focus will remain on small and micro businesses and charities with fixed property costs who have suffered a significant impact on their income due to Covid-19.

All applicants will be required to provide documentary evidence in support of their applications.

If businesses have applied in round one, there is no need to apply again. The council will inform all those who are eligible for the second round.

These grants are available to businesses that that aren’t eligible for other current Covid-19 business grants, were trading on March 11 2020 and who can confirm State Aid compliance.

Firms who have applied for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant or the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme may also apply.

The main eligibility criteria for the new grant has been set by the government and the council’s Invest in Bradford team will offer advice and support to all applicants who are found not to qualify.

Applicants have been advised to read all the guidance set out on the Council’s website before applying and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and are clear what documentary evidence is required.

Interested businesses should apply online by 6pm on Friday August 28.

The government’s Small Business Grant Fund and Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund will also close on August 28.

For both the Small Business Grant Fund and Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund, businesses must have been trading on or before March 11 and to have been on Council records as the ratepayer.

Businesses must have been ratepayers on March 11 and the property must have a rateable value below £51,000 and meet the government’s criteria for the Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant.

When applying for the Small Business Grant or Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant businesses will need to have their business rate account reference number which is shown on their annual bill and their business bank account details.

To apply for local Covid-19 business support grants and find out further information, visit www.bradford.gov.uk/businessgrants or call Invest In Bradford on 01274 437727.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We are working very hard to do everything we can to support local businesses during this incredibly difficult time.

“The second round for the Discretionary Grants enables us to support a wider range of businesses that have been impacted by Covid-19.

“Due to the government’s deadline it is important those who are interested apply as soon as possible.”