Businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire have been given an insight into a campaign to help more firms benefit from a Government grant during the Coronavirus crisis.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s latest Business Intelligence video call with Corporate and Strategic Partners heard from Trish Willetts, Coventry BID director, about the Raise the Bar campaign.
It is being driven by Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) up and down the country and wants the rateable value threshold for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses to be raised from £51,000 to £150,000 in order to access a £25,000 grant.
Trish said: “The Government has moved very quickly to support businesses and we all applaud that and some of the support has undoubtedly saved many companies.
“But I know from our own city centre businesses that some are missing out on support and there’s a good example of a family company that has a rateable value of £77,000 who aren’t entitled to the grant but it could really help them get through this situation.
“The Raise the Bar campaign is about supporting businesses like that and many others in our area and up and down the country to get them the help they need so they can come through this crisis ready for when we re-start the economy.”
She added: “I believe this area is in a good position to grow and grow quickly when people can come out again, especially with City of Culture and the Commonwealth Games coming up. We just need as many businesses as possible to survive and be ready to make the most of that.”
Hazel Pilling, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was another insightful and informative Business Intelligence call as part of our ChamberLIVE series.
“The Chamber has been working extremely hard to keep members informed on all of the support available to them and to also feedback from those who can’t access help.
“The Raise the Bar campaign is an excellent example of that and the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber is backing Coventry BID, other local BIDs and those up and down the country in this effort.”