£8 million paid to Wolverhampton firms amid coronavirus crisis
More than £8 million has been paid out to businesses across Wolverhampton through a coronavirus support scheme.
A total of 775 have received a slice of the Government grants – with a further 1,225 waiting for the vital funding.
Businesses in the city are subject to eligibility checks before the cash is handed over by Wolverhampton Council.
And staff at the authority worked on Good Friday – and will work today on Easter Monday – to help speed up the process.
Councillor Harman Banger, cabinet member for city economy, said: "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy but have been hit hard by the lockdown.
"We are doing everything we can to make it as quick and easy as possible for our small businesses to access this money, this includes redeploying staff with appropriate financial systems knowledge from other parts of the council and working on bank holiday days.
"Should businesses require help with the online process we have staff on hand to support with advice."
The cash has come from the Government's All Small Business Grant Fund and Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.
Once a payment is authorised it will take up to three days to be received in business’ bank accounts.
Wolverhampton Council's dedicated phone line to provide business support has already seen more than 1,500 calls made.
Anyone with any business support queries should call 01902 290242 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Thursday or from 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays.
Bank Holiday hours are from 9am to 2pm.
