SEDGEMOOR District Council is encouraging small businesses to apply for funding to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The latest round of Government funding, which is being administered by Heart of the South West Growth Hub,is in the form of a Kickstart Grant – Tourism and Business Recovery.

The Government has allocated £20m from the England European Regional Development Fund to allow small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to claim sums between £1,000 and £5,000 to help them to recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The money can be used to access new technology and other equipment as well as professional, legal, financial or other advice to help them get back on track.

It comes as previous schemes run by local authorities, including Sedgemoor District Council, are being wound up and is in addition to the recent £10m funding boost for tourism also to be managed by the Growth Hub.

A spokesperson for Sedgemoor District Council, said: "The Growth Hubs are waiting for more details to be published on both and will work with the Government to have the Kickstart Grant – Tourism and Business Recovery - up and running later this month.

"In the meantime, tourism businesses and all SMEs are being encouraged to register if they are interested in the support.

"To register they should complete the online contact form on the Heart of the South West Growth Hub website (https://www.heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk/get-in-touch/) and reference Kickstart Grant Scheme in the Enquiry Message section. The Growth Hub will be in touch when more information is available."