Eligible businesses in Felixstowe are being urged to access grants of £10,000 or £25,000 to help them through COVID-19 crisis.

The Government has allocated over £213m to support qualifying businesses in Suffolk who are struggling because of restrictions in place to combat the Coronavirus.

There are over 15,000 eligible businesses across the county who can access one of two grants of either £10,000 or £25,000 to help with their ongoing business costs.

The Small Business Grant Fund is available to businesses who pay little or no business rates and currently receive small business rate relief (SBRR) and / or rural rate relief (RRR). In addition, there is a cash grant available to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that have a property with a rateable value up to £51,000.

Businesses who meet the eligibility criteria are being contacted by their Local Authority to confirm eligibility and payment details and staff are working to get this information out to firms as quickly as they can.

Bosses must follow the process outlined by East Suffolk for the payment to be made.

Business owners who have not yet been contacted and believe they are eligible for either of the grants should check East Suffolk's website for further details.

The grants will be administered by East Suffolk Council as the local authority, other councils will administer their districts.

Karen Chapman, from the Suffolk Growth Board representing all local authorities, commented; "The Small Business Grant Fund and Cash Grant for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses could provide an important lifeline during these unprecedented times.

"We urge all eligible businesses to take advantage of the financial support, advice and guidance that is available during this difficult period."

Further information, on these two grants and all support available for businesses and the self-employed can be found on the Government business support website.