Allerdale Borough Council is administering the payments in the area and has already paid out more than £27m in grants to more than 2,300 businesses. So, while many businesses have already got in touch there are still several who’ve yet to contact the council.

All other eligible businesses need to provide the council with their banking details and other information so that eligibility can be checked and the money paid straight into their account. An online form is available to do this at: https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-business-grants-claims/.

The online process is simple and if a business is eligible then the council will issue the payment as soon as possible.

One recipient took to Facebook to thank the council for its speed in processing their grant: “Well done to Allerdale Borough Council who have processed the business support grant in a matter of days for my small business.”

There are two grants available. The first provides all businesses in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief with a grant of £10,000. The maximum rateable value limit is £15,000.

The second scheme provides support for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. These are:   

• £10,000 for businesses with property with a rateable value of up to £15,000 (which do not receive small business rate relief or rural rate relief)

• £25,000 for businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,001 and £50,999.