Portsmouth businesses reminded that financial support is available to help them get through lockdown
BUSINESSES in Portsmouth are being reminded that help is available to get them through the third lockdown.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced new grants of up to £9,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure sites earlier this week.
He also announced a further £594m for local authorities and devolved administrations to support businesses not eligible for the grants.
However, some businesses have raised concerns that the measures will not stretch far enough to help them survive.
Cllr Steve Pitt, deputy leader of Portsmouth City Council, said they were working hard to get the information to businesses and encouraging any struggling firms to get in touch.
He said: ‘Keeping businesses going in these incredibly difficult times is crucial for the city's economic future, so I welcome any support being offered by the government.
‘However, I am not sure this latest package will be enough and am increasingly concerned about the plight of those businesses not getting financial support, especially to offset any of their lost income and the self-employed who are currently excluded from any further help.
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‘As soon as we have any further information on how the latest grants will be administered we will let businesses know through our dedicated website www.portsmouth.gov.uk/businesssupport and through our business bulletin, which you can sign up for on our website and now goes out to over 3,000 local businesses each week.
‘The information online also has details of other business support, including other grant funds that are still open for applications.
‘The council's Coronavirus Business Support Helpline is open Monday to Friday on 023 9284 1641 if you need any business advice in these difficult times.’