The Local Restrictions Support Grant scheme is up and running and has helped more than 660 businesses.

Eligibility is set by the government and depends on the rateable value of the business premises. The financial help aims to support businesses through the latest restrictions and recent lockdown period.

Grants are awarded to the ratepayer for the four week lockdown period.  Premises with a rateable value of £15,000 or less can receive up to £1,334 while those with a rateable value of over £15,000 but less than £51,000 can receive £2,000. Finally, businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or over are eligible for £3,000.

Grants are available to a range of businesses that cannot trade including non-essential retail, hospitality venues, accommodation such as hotels, leisure and sports facilities, entertainment businesses, hair and beauty venues, community centres and place of worship. Full details can be found on the council’s website.

This grant is not available to businesses that can continue to trade or have chosen to close but have not been instructed to. Those businesses which are in administration, insolvent or subject to a striking-off notice are also not eligible for the grants.

Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, said:

"There’s lots of financial help available for businesses who will be struggling under the current strain.

"We have made it clear we will do all we can to support them and I would urge businesses to come forward if they think they are eligible."

So far this year the council has given more than £100million of financial help to more than 5,000 businesses through a range of government grants.

When applying for the latest round of business grants people will need proof of ID, evidence of business trading up to November 4, documents to show banking details and proof of occupying business premises. Full details can be found on the council’s website.

To apply people can visit www.dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk/coronavirus-business-guidance/financial-help-for-businesses/local-restrictions-support-grant