Hammersmith & Fulham Council has dispatched the first set of business grant payments to local businesses.

This is welcome news for local businesses and traders struggling with the coronavirus lockdown.

Businesses are advised to check their bank accounts over the next seven days for payment. Those qualifying businesses which have not already provided their bank details to the council’s business rates team should email them in to businessrates@lbhf.gov.uk now.

“We understand this is an extremely challenging time for businesses and we’re doing everything we possibly can to support our local businesses,” said Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for the Economy.

“This is just part of the work we’re doing with local businesses to ensure H&F bounces back stronger than ever once the coronavirus crisis ends and we build on the successes of our Industrial Strategy.”

Read our Industrial Strategy (pdf 2.6MB)

New software

H&F Council will deliver grants to local businesses in payments of either £10,000 or £25,000.

After receiving the funding from the Government, the council installed new software to smooth the payment of grant funding for H&F businesses.

As relatively few local businesses pay rates by direct debit, sending grant aid in this way could deprive others who are eligible, so a new system has been devised to ensure fair distribution. 

“Although this has caused a short delay, it means that we will get more cash out to the right people more accurately,” said Cllr Jones. “We need to support the small and medium sized businesses which form the backbone of our local economy.”

Get all the latest business advice and support here

Rate relief

In addition, nearly 3,000 local business ratepayers in the hospitality and retail sectors have already been emailed to say that they will not pay business rates this year – a total of £118million in relief awards from H&F Council.

The council has also expanded its Local Support Payments (LSP) scheme for residents who have lost their job, had their income reduced or waiting for benefit payments to come through during the COVID-19 crisis.

The new measure will give qualifying residents two weeks of advance payments for food, toiletries and other essential products.

Find out if you qualify here

For the latest news and information on the coronavirus outbreak and how we’re supporting businesses, visit our coronavirus (COVID-19) business support page.

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