The Government announced yesterday (17th February) that funding will be made available to small and medium sized enterprises which need help to recover.

Whilst details are not yet confirmed on exactly which authorities will receive support and how much this will be, MHDC is keen to ensure they are ready to roll out support to those affected as soon as possible.

A range of costs may be covered Eligible businesses will be able to claim for costs which could include immediate clean-up costs, materials, exceptional business costs (such as hire of drying equipment) and temporary accommodation to enable them to continue trading.

Business continuity planning and marketing costs may also be covered.

Details are still emerging

Full details of the scheme are yet to be finalized. Further details will be announced by the Government this week and background information can be found online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-floods-10-million-support-scheme-for-flood-affected-businesses

The council also wants to understand how local businesses have been affected as they may be able to assist them in other ways.

Please contact them as soon as possible with the following information:

Name and location of business

• Contact details
• Date(s) affected?
• What type of impact (direct or indirect*)?
• What impact has this had on your business?
• What could have been done to prevent it?
• What support is required to assist you getting back on your feet?

Please send emails with your response to the details above to ecodev@malvernhills.gov.uk.

* Any grants made available will cover direct and indirect impacts within affected areas, but will not cover loss of trade suffered by businesses outside of directly affected areas:

Direct impacts: business has suffered direct damage and loss to premises, equipment and/or stock and has been unable to trade normally as a result of flooding

Indirect: business has had no or highly limited access to premises, equipment and/or stock as a result of flooding, restricted access to customers and suppliers and suffered significant loss of trade.

Free advice is also available

A Government Business Support Helpline is providing comprehensive advice and support to businesses affected by floods.

The Helpline will offer a free one hour call with a dedicated Business Support Adviser to help businesses get back on their feet.

The helpline number is 0300 456 3565 and can take calls from flood affected businesses now Help is also available for farmers suffering water-logged fields the government announced today.