Following the launch of a new support fund by the City of York Council, which aims to help small, micro and one person businesses experiencing financial hardship due to coronavirus, businesses from a range of different sectors have been successful in applying for grants.

The Make It York Business team have been signposting the support fund to eligible businesses and providing guidance with the application process.

The micro business grants scheme, which is delivered by the City of York Council, provides funding of up to £1,000 for 1,000 self-employed, micro and small businesses who need it most. The grants are available to businesses which:

• have 50 or fewer employees, including one person businesses
• need support adapting to new trading arrangements
• are experiencing financial hardship due to coronavirus, and
• do not qualify for any other government grant or rate relief support packages.
• Applications can be made via the website.

Businesses from all sectors can benefit from the grants and the money can be used in a variety of ways to support their business. Read on for two examples of different kinds of businesses which have been successful in applying for the fund and the impact this will have on their business: