Around 1,300 small businesses in Newcastle could be missing out on business support grants. Do you occupy premises in the City, in which case you should be eligible for £10,000 cash - or in some cases as much as £25,000.

It's easy to apply and the money could be in your bank account within days. There's details and a simple online form at https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/public-health-wellbeing-and-leisure/public-health-services/coronavirus-covid-19/support-business-coronavirus

So far almost 4,000 businesses in the city has been supported through these business support grants, worth just over £49 million. There's news about other funding and loans below the next article

IF YOU RUN A CHARITY OR VOLUNTARY GROUP and occupy premises, you may also be eligible even if you don't appear to pay Business Rates. You may be exempt, or not registered- there's an email address on the link above so you can write in and check. DON'T DELAY DO IT TODAY!

If the Council can't give away the money they've been sent by Government, they'll have to send it back!

TIPS - (Household Waste Recycling Centres) - REOPENING DETAILS

Work has been completed to modify sites and install safety measures and the 'tips' at Brunswick, Byker and Walbottle will again open their doors on Monday May 11, though with restrictions - including visitors having to prove they live in Newcastle - in place. To deter people from making unnecessary journeys we are also reducing the cost of our bulky waste collections by 25 percent for 30 days.

When the HWRCs reopen on May 11, stringent social distancing will be in place. To achieve this:

• Only five vehicles will be allowed on site at any one time at Walbottleand Brunswick, with four on site at Byker.
• Only one occupant will be allowed per vehicle. Blue badge holders may havetwo, but only one person may get out.
• All visitors must park in the bays provided.
• A 10-minute time limit will be in place to dispose of waste.
• Visitors must follow the walking routes indicated and, if a skip is in use, wait in one of the marked areas.
• Staff will not be able to assist residents with heavy items or any unloading.
• Sites will be closed for cleaning for 10 minutes each hour.

Even with these measures this could potentially lead to waiting times of up to an hour to enter a site. To reduce demand and manage those who are visiting:

• All non-Newcastle residents will be turned away - Visitors will have to show both a passport or driver's licence, and a recent council tax or utility bill to be allowed in.
• New traffic management will be in place both outside and inside sites.

No large or commercial vehicles will be admitted and the WasteBot permit system will be suspended for a minimum of 30 days following re-opening.

• Visitors should stay in their cars while waiting to enter.
• The queue will be capped at one hour - If the queue to enter is already that long visitors may be asked to leave and return at another time.
• Extra staff will be on site to ensure social distancing.
• Last entry to HWRCs will be at 7.40pm.

Find out more at www.newcastle.gov.uk/citylife-news/newcastle-reopen-waste-and-recycling-centres-strict-social-distancing

FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES THAT HAVEN'T OTHERWISE QUALIFIED FOR HELP

A discretionary fund of £617 million to provide additional support for those businesses which cannot receive support through the Small Business and Retail Leisure and Hospitality Grants was announced by the Secretary of State for BEIS, Alok Sharma on a call to the council Chief Executives last Friday.

This could include businesses in shared spaces, bed and breakfasts and charities. Further details and guidance on how this discretionary fund could work and Newcastle's allocation are awaited. You can find out more at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/top-up-to-local-business-grant-funds-scheme

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CORONAVIRUS BOUNCE BACK LOANS The Bounce Back Loan scheme is now open for applications. Key details:

• Businesses can borrow between £2,000 and £50,000.
• The government will guarantee 100% of the loan and there won't be any feesor interest to pay for the first 12 months.
• Loan terms will be up to 6 years.
• The government will work with lenders to agree a low rate of interest for the remaining period of the loan.
• The scheme will be delivered through a network of accredited lenders

Details on how to apply are here: https://bit.ly/BounceBackLoanApply