More grants for Moorlands businesses affected by Coronavirus restrictions have now opened for applications.

The Government has provided funding to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for both mandatory and discretionary grants to support businesses affected by the second national lockdown from 5th November to 2nd December and the tier systems in place on either side of that period.

The mandatory element of the Local Restrictions Support Grant Scheme went live in November and applications are now being invited for the discretionary element from eligible businesses.

Councillor Sybil Ralphs, leader of the council and cabinet member for regeneration and finance, said: "We fully understand how important this financial support is to our local businesses and we're pleased that the application process for the discretionary element of these grants is now live via our website.

"Businesses across the Moorlands have had to bear the brunt of both national lockdowns and the higher level tiers and we know what an impact that has had. Paying out these grants is our priority and our teams are working hard to process the applications as quickly as we possibly can."

This discretionary grant is for businesses that:

- Are not liable for business rates but were legally required to close from 5th November to 2nd December

- Were not legally required to close but who mainly supply those businesses that did have to close such as non-essential retail, leisure and hospitality and personal care services and where this supply represents at least 50% of the business

- Were trading on 4 November prior to the national restrictions

Additionally, businesses in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors that were severely impacted by the tier 2 restrictions that were in place from 31st October to 4th November will automatically be awarded a grant payment covering this period without the need to complete a separate application.

For more information, and to apply, click here.

To date, the council has paid out £529,000 in mandatory business grants and £42,000 to businesses affected by the tier 2 restrictions which were in place prior to the second national lockdown in November.

Further grant funding in respect of the tier 3 restrictions that came into force on 2nd December, and £1,000 Christmas grants for 'wet led' pubs in tiers 2 and 3 that predominantly serve alcohol, have also been announced by the Government and the council is currently reviewing guidance about this.