A grant scheme has been introduced for local businesses in Bexley to help them “grow and recover” from Covid.

Businesses are invited to apply for a cash grant between £5,000 and £25,000 to recover from the pandemic.

A spokesperson for the council said the Bexley Innovation and Growth grant can be used to help businesses “grow, diversify or become greener.”

Cabinet member for growth, Cafer Munur said: “This is the ideal chance for local independent businesses who have been affected by the pandemic to access funds to help get them to get back on track and look at ways to work differently.

“To be clear - this isn’t a loan – this is a grant to encourage businesses to grow and diversify with innovative ideas and bold plans.

“We hope the grants will help the local businesses we value so much but also benefit Bexley residents.”

The grant does not need to be repaid, however, the projects for which the funds are used must be completed within 26 weeks by receipts or by September 30, 2022.

The scheme will be provided through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), which was introduced by the government to support businesses from Covid.

Businesses that are eligible must have been operating before February 1 2020.

The deadline for applications will be on January 24, 2022, by 5pm.

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