A grants scheme which has seen East Suffolk Council pay out over £2.5 million to small businesses is coming to a close and any qualifying company is urged to apply before next week's final deadline for applications.

The Discretionary Business Grant Scheme has been a great success and since its launch in May, the council has paid out £2,503,000 providing financial support to 227 small businesses which were ineligible for the Government's initial round of business funding.

The council expects all the money provided by the government to be fully allocated shortly and, with this in mind, it is setting a final deadline of August 14 for any remaining applications, including those from the Felixstowe area.

Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: "The scheme has been open since May and has supported well over 200 businesses. We are confident that the full sum provided by government will be allocated and therefore we must encourage anyone who feels they may still be eligible, but has not applied, to do so as soon as possible.

"As we have said repeatedly, there is limited funding available, and once it is gone, it is gone."

The online form and full details about how to apply with full eligibility can be found here: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/business/covid-19-business-grant-funding/