The MP for Penrith and the Border has welcomed the package of measures put in place by the Government to help Cumbrian high streets weather the effects of the coronavirus lockdown.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border described the independent shops and businesses in the Penrith and the Border area as “the lifeblood of our communities”, as these firms begin to receive as much as £25,000 in a cash grant from the Government to help them cope with the effects of the nationwide lockdown.
Small businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will be getting one-off grants of either £10,000 or £25,000.
These are now being distributed to businesses’ bank accounts.
From this week, these businesses also began to benefit from a business rates exemption, which is set to last for the next 12 months.
Nationally, the package of measures to help businesses survive the coronavirus lockdown is worth £22bn.
Commenting on the measures as they began to take effect this week, Dr Hudson said: “We have some fantastic independent shops and businesses here in our area.
“These businesses are the lifeblood of our communities.
“This package announced by the Chancellor is most welcome to help support them in these times.”
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