Coronavirus Kent: hundreds of millions given out in small business grants in Kent

More than £160 million has been given out in grants to over 13,000 businesses across Kent amid the Coronavirus outbreak, government figures show.

The Small Business Grants Scheme was launched in March to support businesses who are most at risk during the pandemic.

The business grants scheme was announced in March. Photo: Pippa Fowles/PA Wire.
The business grants scheme was announced in March. Photo: Pippa Fowles/PA Wire.

Up to £10,000 is available for each small business, and £25,00 for eligible leisure, retail and hospitality firms.

In Kent, a total of £333 million has been made available to local councils to support their community businesses.

That money, granted to each council on an individual basis, is expected to provide support for up to 26,619 businesses in the county.

It means that since the project's inception, councils have handed out around half of their grant funds.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “I am very grateful to local authorities who have been working flat out to ensure these vital funds get to hard-pressed small business owners.

Read on to find out how much your council has given out in grants
Read on to find out how much your council has given out in grants

"The government is doing everything we can to support individual councils and help ensure that these grants reach local firms as soon as possible.

"I urge everyone to keep working at pace to get the money where it is needed quickly."

Read on to find out how much your council has received and given out in grants so far.

Ashford Borough Council have paid out £18.5 million to support 1,546 businesses so far. With a total of just over £30 million allocated to them, they have enough funds left to support a further 1,100 eligible businesses in the area.

Canterbury City Council were granted the largest sum in Kent; a whopping £48.2 million to cover for 2,728 businesses in the county's only city.

They have spent just over £21 million so far, giving grants to 1,628 firms.

In comparison, Dartford Borough Council have been given the smallest amount in the county, being given £13.8 million to cover for around 1,100 businesses.

They have passed on grants to 700 of these firms so far, using up £8.9 million of their allocated funds.

Dover District Council have sent £14.3 million in grants to around 1,200 businesses, more than half of the 2,040 that their £27.6 million budget allows for.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council have ensured that 1,551 business properties the area have already received grants. In total, more than £18,090,000 has made its way to small businesses in the area.

The council has been provided with £28,808,000, which could help as many as 2,297 businesses in the local area.

Gravesham Borough Council have passed on grants for almost all of the expected eligible businesses in the area; 1,001 out of 1186. However, they still have around £5.5million worth of grants available, having only spent £10.8million out of their original £16million fund.

Maidstone Borough Council have sent out £9.7million in grants to 775 businesses just over a third of their total budget of £27.6 million.

There are thought to be around 2,222 eligible businesses in the area.

Sevenoaks District Council have around £5.5million in grants remaining from their £22.7 million budget, after spending £17.2million since recieving the funds.

So far they have supported 1,393 businesses out of a potential 2,054 thought to be eligible.

Swale District Council were presented with a £32.6million budget to cover for an estimated 2,591 businesses that might be eligable for the grants.

So far, they have passed on £12 million to 1,026 firms.

Thanet District Council were given the second-largest fund of £40 million, and have the largest number of potentially eligible firms in its catchment area.

Of the 3,036 businesses that could be eligible to receive a grant, 1,896 have received one so far as the council have spent £20.9 million since March.

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council have granted funds to more than a third (532) of their 1,469 eligible firms, spending £6.9 million of their £18.6 million budget.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council were granted funds of £27 million for around 2,000 potential businesses in March.

However, the area currently has the smallest number of businesses to have applied for and received funds.

The council has handed out £4.4 million to 215 firms- just over a tenth of those who might be eligible for a grant.

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