COUNCIL’S HELP

MORE than £47m was handed over to Barnsley businesses in 2020 by the council to ensure firms across the borough remained economically stable throughout the pandemic.

A total of £10m was also issued to further help businesses survive the country’s third lockdown and, to ensure the correct financial support was available in Barnsley, the council paid before funding was handed over from central government. The local authority provided £1.2m in rent relief to help reduce pressure during the pandemic, as part of the substantial package that aims to support business costs.

Sir Steve Houghton, leader of the council, said at the time: “It is vital that we as a local authority do all we can to protect and support our local businesses and workers across Barnsley, we acted swiftly and the offer we have provided exceeds the support given by other areas across the country.

“We will continue to offer support and advice, including financial aid when necessary to be sure that as many traders as possible can survive throughout the pandemic.

“We are proud of our local businesses and workers and have done all that we can to provide them with the best financial support available during these circumstances.”

Alongside the discretionary support, a separate isolation scheme was also in place for those who were on lower incomes and could not work from home, and so would be adversely affected if forced to self-isolate.

Under this scheme, there were two different grants that people could apply for - a central government-funded grant and a second, discretionary grant funded by the council for those who do not meet the main scheme’s criteria.

Karl Robinson, the owner of Barnsley Models and Games, based in the Victorian Arcade, said the funding he received had been ‘vital’ to keeping his company afloat.

“As a Barnsley town centre business, receiving the money so quickly from the council was vital to paying our business costs and keeping afloat,” he said.

“The fact the council have paid us what we are entitled to automatically as new support has been made available has saved me the hassle of having to fill in forms and really speeded up the process.

“We’ve had great support as well as being given practical advice from the council’s Enterprising Barnsley service to help us manage through the periods of being open.”