Northumberland County Council is doing all it can to ease the pressure on residents caused by the Covid-19 virus. We’re backing businesses to ensure they are able to do all they can to help Northumbrians across the county.

Early on in this pandemic the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, acted quickly to announce a number of measures to support businesses. Thanks to that swift action the council are now working to ensure that businesses can access the cash available to them.

Measures include support paying wages for “furloughed” staff; one off grants for businesses who pay business rates below £51,000; and assistance for the self-employed amongst a series of other initiatives.  

There are around 7000 businesses across Northumberland and virtually no two are the same.  The County Council team has established a Business Hub as a first port of call for people seeking information. Further information can be found here. The County Council has already paid out £36 million to businesses out of a total fund of £80 million. The first step for eligible businesses is a form to apply for the grant support which is available here.

Cash flow isn’t the only issue facing businesses at the moment and we’re engaged in continual dialogue with businesses to ensure they’re receiving the support they need. Our online survey for Covid-19 support is being run by Advance Northumberland. To share the issues facing your businesses carry out our survey by clicking the link here. 

How can businesses help Northumberland?

As much as we are determined to help businesses, we have been incredibly grateful to local businesses determined to step up to the challenge and help in their communities.  Whether it is distribution companies assisting with food deliveries or local businesses supporting food banks, already so many people have risen to the challenge.

Any individuals or businesses wishing to offer support can contact the council’s “Northumberland Communities Together” team here.*

Furthermore, we have issued a call for businesses who are able to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to get in touch with us so they can help protect frontline workers.

*Please note this is a web page for offers of help. Business support requests need to come through the business support hub only.