BUSINESSES severely affected by the second national lockdown could be thrown a lifeline by the Ryedale District Council (RDC).

The government has provided funding for the Additional Restrictions Grant (Discretionary) scheme for eligible businesses.

It is there to support businesses that have been severely affected by the second national lockdown, if they are not eligible to claim a grant under other available schemes.

Grants under the discretionary scheme can be claimed at any future time Ryedale is placed into Covid-19 Alert Level 3 (very high) or another national lockdown.

“The discretionary grant could be a lifeline to some businesses in Ryedale, who have faced unavoidable ongoing fixed business costs, or a severe loss of income due to the impact of Covid-19,” said Cllr Keane Duncan, leader of RDC.

“The lockdowns and subsequent tiers have hit our businesses hard and some have reached breaking point.

“Ryedale District Council is here to help, and I’d urge any eligible business to apply as soon as possible.”

Eligible businesses can apply for grants of £500, £1,334, £2,000 or £3,000.

Each application will be assessed for the reduction in revenues the business has suffered as a result of the national lockdown, as well as unavoidable ongoing fixed business costs it incurs.

For more information, visit ryedale.gov.uk/covid-19-2020/support-for-business