Micro businesses in Staffordshire are reaping the benefits of a coronavirus grant scheme which aims to support them through the pandemic.
Firms across the county have received the cash boost via a 拢500,000 emergency grant scheme which was launched by Staffordshire County Council to help businesses with nine employees or less and who could not get support from other Government initiatives.
Hundreds of businesses applied for grants of up to 拢1,000 as part of the initiative 鈥 and applications closed within seven days due to a huge demand.
The funding was allocated on a first come, first served basis and will support up to 500 local businesses.
Leek-based driving school Pass with Jackie is among the first recipients of the grant.
Jackie Parton, who took on a franchise with Learner Driving Centre, had to suspend lessons due to social distancing guidance.
Jackie said: 鈥淭his grant has made a huge difference to me. It has enabled me to keep my business ready to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. On March 23, I had to shut my business down overnight. I have earned nothing in that time. I still have expenses to pay out each month to keep my car running and to keep my business ready to go.聽
鈥淭he grant has helped me pay my franchise fees which keeps my website running, car insurance, car tax and car service plan. Without these things being paid I wouldn鈥檛 be able to keep my car ready to start work again and would probably have found myself in a position of having to sell it
鈥淚鈥檓 so very grateful for this grant. Being self-employed to date I鈥檝e had no other help whatsoever. It really has been a lifeline.鈥
Peter Nixon, who runs his own building company in North Staffordshire, also received emergency support.
He said: 鈥淏eing a small limited company that still has some work, albeit less than usual, I鈥檝e not been able to access other Government schemes.
鈥淚鈥檓 a sole director and employee of my company and was ill with suspected coronavirus for three weeks in March, so was not able to work or earn during this time. The grant has helped me to pay the balance owing to my supplier and progress forward, giving much peace of mind for me and my family.鈥
Staffordshire County Council鈥檚 economic growth leader Mark Winnington said: 鈥淭his has been a critical initiative for the county council and demonstrates our commitment to supporting micro businesses through incredibly difficult times.
鈥淲e put the scheme into operation as soon as possible as we knew there would be extremely high demand. It is rewarding then to see how it鈥檚 made such a difference and we鈥檙e pleased to have lent our support.鈥
He added: 鈥淚鈥檇 like to thank businesses for getting in touch. Any needing support of any kind should contact the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub. Our priority, working with our partners, is to ensure we are doing all we can to support businesses through this period.鈥
Businesses can visit www.stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk or call the business helpline on 0300 111 8002.
