Many local businesses, particularly in hospitality, have been raising frustration that Bradford Council have not opened the application process for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (for businesses which are open).
Cllr Rebecca Poulsen (Worth Valley) and Leader of the Conservative Group said “I am working with a number of small local businesses who are getting increasingly concerned and frustrated that Bradford Council have still not opened the application for this grant to cover the shortfall in income from the previous tier 2 restrictions. This grant covers the period back to 1st August and can run into many thousands of pounds for many businesses. With the recently announced new tier 3 restrictions they are desperate for the Government funding that they should be receiving.
Other local councils including Leeds and Calderdale are already dealing with applications yet Bradford Council has not even started taking applications. I keep pressing the Council to make sure this funding gets to the people who really need it as quickly as possible”.
Trudy Pilmoor from The Fleece Inn in Haworth said “It was announced by the Chancellor in October, the councilsalready have received the funds, the guidance & the criteria for allocating these funds, they have been given by central government to Bradford & all affected councils for this specific purpose.
The website has not been updated for weeks & the application form is still not available, even though other councils have this on the their sites others have already started paying out I believe.
I am disappointed that Bradford are being slow in opening this lifeline of funding up to all businesses that have struggled through no decisions of their own choosing, but especially Hospitality that has been ordered to remain closed once again.
There is absolutely no help or guidance available as to when this funding will become available. Our industry in crisis & I feel Bradford need to recognise this - If there is a reason for the delay it should be made clear.”
