Bed and breakfast businesses in Cornwall can now apply for Covid-19 grant help after the government made an extra £617 million available.

In an announcement yesterday, business secretary Alok Sharma and minister for regional growth and local government Simon Clarke said it was designed for small businesses that have not already been able to access business rates support.

The government will confirm the exact amount that each local authority will receive next week.

Truro and Falmouth's MP Cherilyn Mackrory said it will support businesses such B&Bs and those based at innovation hub that were not eligible for business rates and had therefore fallen through a loophole in previous funding. them and Cornwall Council to make sure they get this support quickly.”

Read more: Thousands of Cornwall businesses yet to claim Covid-19 grant

Cherilyn said: “I have been pleased to see the government listening to feedback from me and other MP colleagues and that they have now released additional funding to support those who have not been able to access it until now.”

This additional fund is aimed at small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs.

Local authorities will be asked to prioritise businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief, and bed and breakfasts that pay council tax rather than business rates.

However, local authorities may choose to make payments to other businesses based on local economic need.

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The allocation of funding will be at the discretion of local authorities.

Businesses must be small - under 50 employees - and they must also be able to demonstrate that they have seen a significant drop of income due to coronavirus restriction measures.

There will be three levels of grant payments, with a maximum of £25,000. There will also be grants of £10,000 and local authorities will have discretion to make payments of any amount under £10,000.