Paying April wages could finish off many New Forest businesses

COVERING April’s wage bill without government help could spell the end for many New Forest firms, business leaders have warned.

Matthew Lawson, chairman of New Forest Business Partnership (NFBP), claims those not eligible for grants risk “falling through the cracks” and has urged all which can apply for help to do so.

Figures from last week revealed New Forest District Council has distributed £32m in government grants to 2,565 firms, but 1,000 eligible businesses have still not claimed their share.

Mr Lawson said NFBP remained “very concerned” about local businesses not receiving emergency funding, adding: “For many of them, it is getting very tight as we approach April’s payroll, with many no longer having the cash to cover outgoings at the end of this month.”

Lump sums of £25,000 though a retail, hospitality and leisure grant fund and £10,000 through the small business fund are available to help minimise disruption in businesses’ cash flows.

“Access to this – and any other funding for businesses who are falling between the cracks – will decide the fate of some New Forest businesses,” Mr Lawson went on.

“Emergency grant funding is a vital lifeline to our local businesses and will ensure we have a strong and robust economy to bounce back once lockdown and restrictions on our businesses are eased,” and the government needed to get the money flowing “as quickly as possible” he added.

Previously Mr Lawson claimed NFDC took “too long” to distribute the grant. That accusation was rebuffed by its cabinet member of business, Cllr Michael Harris, who highlighted NFDC’s work to distribute the grant put it in the top 20% of local authorities in the UK.

NFBP is offering free sessions at 2pm every Wednesday to offer firms help – for which places have to be booked – while government advice is available at www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder and other schemes are being run locally.

Jake Hawkins, director of Hampshire video production company The Red Red Video has put together a package for local businesses, which includes consultancy and editing training. More information is available at www.theredred.com/covid19-video-support

Meanwhile, Hampshire County Council’s highways team has revealed it is using the coronavirus pandemic to start £10m worth of routine maintenance work to get the roads ready for when the lockdown is eased.