The third phase of Warwickshire County Council's Discretionary Grant Fund has been opened to small businesses in Kenilworth this week.

The scheme, which was announced by the Government at the beginning of May has been managed at a local authority level, across the nation. Warwickshire County Council have been allocated £1,738,000 under the programme. This figure is not intended to be exceeded, even if not every eligible business receives funding.

The County Council said that the scheme is intended to "support qualifying local businesses that are struggling with the current COVID-19 global pandemic."

Businesses which are not eligible for other Government grant schemes, such as the Small Businesses Grant Fund, have another opportunity now to receive important funding as lockdown measures remain in place.

Local firms can now receive a grant from £3000 to £10,000, depending on the number of people that they employee. The government guidelines did allow for grants of £25,000 to be made, however the council have decided not to use this option "to ensure that many more businesses can benefit from a grant, given the limited fund available."

As long as the business can demonstrate that it has fewer than fifty employees, was trading on or before 11 March 2020, and has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, then they may be eligible to receive such a payment.

The closing date for applications is Friday 14 August at midday.

A link to the application site can be found here.