Small and medium-sized businesses which may have fallen outside the scope of Covid-19 support schemes can now apply for new grants from Maldon District Council (MDC).

Additional funding has been provided by Essex County Council, enabling MDC to reach more businesses through two grants:

-Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG)

-Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG).

The following small and medium businesses can apply:

- a business which forms part of the direct supply chain for hospitality, leisure or accommodation businesses including tourism

- a business which supplies non-essential retail

- a business which forms part of the direct supply chain for aviation businesses

- a business which directly organises,facilitatesor performs at organised events

- a business which supplies to organised events

- a business that is not on the rating list that has been forced to close either due to mandatory restrictions or due to the temporary closure of their host premises (including non-essential market traders)

- a business which can demonstrate a heavy reliance on the ability for people to travel

- any business which relies on close physical contact (e.g.personal care workers,hairand beauty, driving instructors, taxi drivers,etc.)

- limited company directors who are not located in rateable premises and who cannot furlough themselves and continue to work to save their business.

Essex Business Adaption Grants (BAG) of up to £1,500 are also available to enable changes or improvements for businesses to ensure the health and safety of employees and customers, to develop new operating practices such as home working or to capitalise on new opportunities such as new click and collect, takeaway or delivery services.

A spokesperson for Maldon District Council said: "We are extremely excited to be able to support more local businesses through the funding made available by Essex County Council.

"We want to ensure that we can provide funding to many small and medium-sized businesses which to date may not have been able to access funding. The funding provides financial support as well as a one-off grant to fund business adaptations."

Applications can be submitted at the Maldon District Council website using the link here and more details can be found using the link here.