Sutton Council has helped more than 700 businesses in the borough to survive and recover by paying out over £48million in grants since the start of lockdown.

The grant schemes are funded by the Government and Council as part of a package of support for businesses during the pandemic and coming out of lockdown.

The Council has also set up its own local discretionary grant funding schemes and worked hard to identify Sutton businesses eligible to receive grants and reliefs. Sutton Council also allocated £47million in business rates relief.

From 12 April all non-essential retail, personal care and outdoor hospitality reopened, and indoor hospitality venues followed from 17 May. The Council helped businesses in the borough to make them Covid-secure for customers when they reopened.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, Chair of Sutton Council’s Housing, Economy & Business Committee, said:

“Since the start of the pandemic, the Council has taken a key role in supporting Sutton’s recovery providing £48million financial support to all eligible businesses.

“This £48million issued over the past year in grant funding was vital to enable Sutton’s businesses to meet their financial commitments during the pandemic and ensure they could continue to trade until restrictions were lifted.

“In addition to providing grants, the Council has also guided businesses through an extremely difficult period and supported them with reopening.

“Now that the business grant schemes are closing and restrictions have lifted fully, the Council is keen to understand from businesses what they need to support the borough’s recovery from COVID-19. A survey for all Sutton businesses will launch later this month and we look forward to hearing how together we can create jobs for our residents and a greener local economy.”