A new grant programme has just been announced to help small businesses across Cheshire and Warrington get back to work.

This grant is for small and medium size enterprises (SME’s), social enterprises, charities and sole traders in Cheshire and Warrington which have been trading for at least 12 months.

An SME under the programme is defined as one that has less than 250 employees, a turnover equivalent to less than EUR5O million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding EUR43 million and is independently owned (less than 25% owned by other independent businesses).

The grant can be used to pay towards capital items that your business needs to help recover or restructure to trade through the COVID 19 outbreak.

Examples of the support that can be provided include:

– IT equipment e.g. tablet & contact payment systems.

– Fixed PPE equipment e.g. plastic screens & sanitiser dispensers.

– Building alterations e.g. creation of one-way systems, building of outdoor seating, serving hatches etc.

– Websites, mobile apps, etc.

The grant cannot be used for day to day running costs, servicing debt or cash flow.

The minimum grant value is £1000, the maximum is £5000.

The grant will cover 80% of the cost of your project (60% for items purchased between 1 May – 23 July). You will be required to fund the remaining costs and the VAT.

The grant is funded by the UK Government in partnership with Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership and managed by Blue Orchid Enterprise Solutions.

For more information or to make an application go to: https://blueorchid.co.uk/cheshire-warrington-recovery-restructure-grant/