From 9am on Friday 17 July the Covid-19 Discretionary Business Grant Scheme will be widened to add the following businesses to those who are already eligible:

• Any other business, which is not assessed for business rates, that can demonstrate hardship caused by COVID 19 and where it is the sole or main source of income for the applicant and is based and operating within SWT

This includes businesses which are run from home. Successful eligible applicants will be awarded a grant of £2,000.

There is limited funding remaining within the scheme budget and claims will be processed on a first come first served basis. It is important therefore that those wishing to apply do so as quickly as possible as we will process in date order.
Full details about this new category and the revised application form which includes this category will be available on our website from 9am on Friday 17 July at the following page: https://www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/business-rates/business-grants-covid-19-response/.

 

SWT’s Economic Development team has been working hard to support local businesses through the Coronavirus pandemic with a range of grants and guidance.

This has extended to the reopening of our high streets with practical help and advice, and temporary road closures to encourage shoppers and ensure businesses can keep staff and customers safe.

The team is now looking at what it can do to help town centre businesses fully recover and grow back stronger from the impact of COVID-19.

It is asking for their views and ideas on what our high streets should look like, what type of ‘offer’ they should have for businesses, shoppers, visitors and residents post COVID-19; and what businesses need in order to adapt, recover and flourish post COVID-19.

As an integral part of this work engagement webinars are being held in Taunton, Wellington and Minehead between 17 and 24 July.

The webinars will focus on two discussions –

• What do businesses and the Town Centre need to help them to stay open urgently in the next 12 months?
• Reimaging Our High Street – How should the high street be shaped, what it should look like, what its offer should be in the future?

Cllr Marcus Kravis, Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “We want to do everything we can to support our businesses and traders to ensure that our economy is not only resilient but can thrive. SWT owned car parks will remain free until at least 30 August as part of the Council’s wider plan to help rejuvenate the local economy but we want to hear from our business so we can begin to put long term plans in place.

“We would encourage them engage with us and are particularly interested in feedback from our three main town centres – Taunton, Minehead and Wellington and our neighbourhood retail centres in Wiveliscombe, Watchet, Dulverton, Dunster and Porlock who have been working in partnership with us.”

Places can be booked using the Eventbrite links – joining instructions will be sent nearer the time:

Please select your closest High Street.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/113356065042  (Wellington) 7pm 21 July

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/113362223462 (Minehead) 7pm 22 July

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/113362881430 (Taunton) 6.30pm 23 July

If you are unable to make these events and have any views that you would like to share with us please email them to Openinghighstreets@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk