Cheshire West and Chester Council are preparing to distribute a series of grants to local businesses who have been forced to close, or who will be severely affected, by this month's lockdown.

The Council hope to begin delivering this support to eligible businesses from next week.

Councillor Carol Gahan, Cabinet Member for Legal and Finance said: "I know how hard these latest restrictions are hitting businesses and residents alike.

"Grants for businesses required to close from 5th November will be made available as soon as possible. We will share the guidance and full criteria for how the different grant schemes will work as soon as they are available from Government.

"From talking with our businesses, we are aiming to keep the application process as simple as possible.

"We will publish an online application form and I would like to encourage businesses to apply for all the grants they are eligible for, when applications open.

"Having their bank account details, business address, company registration numbers and VAT numbers to hand will help save time for businesses."

The online application form is being developed and will be available to businesses soon.

The Council also offers additional support for businesses, including:

• Advice and guidance on accessing all types of business finance,

• Information and support with training and reskilling

• Import and export information, including accessing new markets

• Start-up business support

• Redundancy support for businesses and employees

People who are self-employed may still access the self-employment income support scheme.

There are two grants available covering November 2020 to January 2021 and February 2021 to April 2021. Full eligibility criteria and details of how to claim this support are available on the GOV.UK website.

The Government's furlough scheme is set to last until 30 November – although Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to extend it beyond December - meaning employees can receive 80 per cent of their current salary for hours not worked.

Cheshire West's coronavirus rate currently sits at 236 per 100,000 residents, and the borough's hospitals have reported nine Covid-related deaths in the last two weeks, bringing the total number to 429.

During yesterday's Covid-19 Outbreak Board meeting, Council Director of Public Health, Ian Ashworth said that, while the rate increased rapidly through September, its upward trajectory has now 'levelled off' slightly.