Cash help for small businesses

Rotherham Council has already pledged 750 to every water-damaged house in the town, whether it was insured or not. The money is made up of government cash and 250,000 from the council’s own budget.

Now the authority has teamed up with Rotherham Chamber of Commerce to set aside another 250,000 to fund similar 750 grants to flood-damaged businesses employing fewer than 20 people. Around 200 small businesses in Rotherham are thought to have been damaged in last month’s floods.

The council’s business arm RIDO is working closely with the Chamber of Commerce to draw up an application process.

A council spokesman said: “To help businesses meet the costs incurred in cleaning up after the floods, Yorkshire Forward put in place a grant assistance scheme.

“But the scheme does not provide financial assistance to help businesses recover. As a result it was considered likely certain businesses would incur additional, unforeseeable, operational costs that may not be covered by insurance arrangements and could potentially hinder a business recovering its trading position.

“The chamber of commerce has indicated this situation is likely to be particularly relevant for small enterprises. The council, in conjunction with the chamber, has put together a proposed grant aid package to help meet some of these potential costs.”