Essex County Council has today made additional grant funding available to Rochford businesses through the Essex Additional Business Support (EABS) Grant.

This scheme offers grants of £750, £1,500 or £2,250 to eligible businesses based on their size. Businesses must apply through a dedicated form on Rochford District Council’s website, providing evidence that they meet at one least one of the following criteria:

• A business which forms part of the direct supply chain for hospitality, leisure or accommodation businesses including tourism
• A business which supplies non-essential retail
• A business which forms part of the direct supply chain for aviation businesses
• A business which directly organises, facilitates or performs at organised events
• A business which supplies to organised events
• A business that is not on the rating list that has been forced to close either due to mandatory restrictions or due to the temporary close of their host premises (including non-essential market traders)
• A business which can demonstrate a heavy reliance on the ability for people to travel
• A business which relies on close physical contact (e.g. personal care workers, hair and beauty, driving instructors, taxi drivers etc)
• Newly self-employed who set up a business after 6th April 2019, who have not been able to receive support as part of the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)
• Limited company directors who are not located in rateable premises and who cannot furlough themselves and continue to work to save their business

Please note, the funding is limited and businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Businesses can find out more and apply at www.rochford.gov.uk/businessratesCOVID19
Additional Note: The scheme is being funded by Essex County Council and applications are assessed against an Essex County Council Policy. Basildon Borough Council are hosting the grant using their form application system. Within these provisions, £150,000 of funding has been ring-fenced for Rochford-based businesses.