Test Valley Borough Council made the first payments to flood affected business in the borough under its Business Support Scheme.
The first two businesses to receive payments were Advance Yacht Services Ltd in Budds Lane Romsey and The Crown Inn public house in Upton. The council is sending a letter to more than 300 businesses encouraging them to check out the financial assistance available to those who suffered a significant loss of trade within flood affected areas.
The scheme covers direct and indirect impact on businesses caused by the recent flooding. Direct impact is where businesses have suffered a loss of premises, equipment and stock, thus being unable to trade normally.
Indirect impact is where a business and its suppliers had no or limited access to its premises, equipment and stock. This resulted in a lack of custom and as a consequence a significant loss of trade.
Full details of the scheme and an application form can be found on the council’s website www.testvalley.gov.uk/floodhelp
Councillor Peter Giddings, economic portfolio holder, said: “Businesses across Test Valley have been the worst-hit of any local authority in Hampshire. In Romsey’s Budds Lane Industrial Estate several businesses were flooded and cut off for an extended period when the road was closed.”
“A number of village pubs and other businesses throughout Test Valley have also been hit hard. The council has sought maximum support from government and I am pleased to say that the award of £350,000 for the Business Support Scheme should help get affected businesses back on their feet. I would encourage all affected businesses to apply to the scheme.”
Caroline Oldham Finance Director of Advance Yacht Services Ltd, said: “We could not get onto the Budds Lane estate for several weeks and that took its toll on the business. I was delighted to receive a payment £2500 under the Business Support Scheme. This money has enabled us to fund advertising and promotion to help get us back to the trading position we would have been in had we not experienced flooding during the recent exceptional weather.”
Mr Cope, Landlord of The Crown Inn, said: “I am really grateful for the help provided by Test Valley both during and after the recent floods. They have been very supportive and I would like to express my thanks to them.”
Test Valley Borough Council is administering the government package of support for businesses affected by flooding which also includes Business Rates Flooding Relief and a Repair and Renewal Grant.
For more information on all the schemes visit www.testvalley.gov.uk/floodhelp or contact the council’s economic development officer at dgleave@testvalley.gov.uk
