Business flood victims support fund

Businesses caught up in the devastation of Storm Eva will be able to apply for £6 million of government money to get their doors back open to customers.

Read Winter flooding 2015: community support for advice and current information.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced the cash pot would be made available for the estimated 2,500 firms on either side of the Pennines left flooded by the Boxing Day deluge in the north of England.

The £6 million package adds to the £5 million already announced by the government to help businesses in Lancashire and Cumbria affected by Storm Desmond earlier in December.

Small Business Minister Anna Soubry said:

It’s been a devastating Christmas for many business owners in the north of England who now face the challenge of repairing the damage and reopening their doors.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of towns and cities right across the country and it is vital that we help them start trading again as soon as possible.

This £6 million is being made available immediately by the government and is part of a wider package of support designed to get people, communities and businesses back on their feet.

The money forms part of a wider £50 million relief package announced by Communities Secretary Greg Clark on Tuesday, to support households, businesses, communities and local authorities. It is available to businesses caught up in the flooding caused by Storm Eva.

Local Growth Hubs have more information and should be contacted on how to access the business support.

This announcement follows the £5 million business support scheme to help businesses affected by Storm Desmond announced on 9 December