Basildon Council staff worked through the weekend to process hundreds of grant applications to help keep businesses going through the coronavirus pandemic, totalling more than £5.8million.
Leader of the Basildon Council Cllr Gavin Callaghan said: “Our borough’s business have our total support.
“We’re doing everything possible to keep our borough’s businesses afloat through this extraordinarily challenging environment.
“This has been a heroic effort from officers and our IT teams to be able to turn this around so quickly and ensure we are in a position to get this money to businesses as soon as possible.
“The outstanding team at the council worked their socks off over the weekend to process 417 grants and get almost six million pounds to our businesses in need.
“306 business received £10,000 each, and a further 111 businesses received £25,000 each.
“It further demonstrates how hard we are working to establish new services to help businesses as quickly as possible.
“We know this only means around 25% of business have come forward and secured their money. More business can access support so I encourage people to get in touch to see if they are liable.
“We’re continuing work as quickly as possible to continue to make payments into businesses accounts this week, and will continue to do so while businesses need our support during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I encourage all businesses who have yet to apply to head to www.basildon.gov.uk/coronavirus-business to see the business support available, and complete the online form.”
