Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses to claim a new coronavirus grant before applications close on Monday.

The Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund has been set up in direct response to lobbying by Cumbria Chamber and other Chambers of Commerce to plug gaps in business support.

Grants up to £25,000 are available to businesses with fewer than 50 staff that haven’t received either the Coronavirus Small Business or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure grants.

Rob Johnston, chief executive of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’ve come across many businesses that, through no fault of their own, were refused coronavirus grants.

“Sometimes they fell foul of the eligibility criteria because their name wasn’t on the business rates bill – their landlord paid the rates instead. And we’ve also spoken to B&Bs that didn’t qualify because they pay council tax not business rates.

“We and other chambers lobbied government ministers to help these businesses. We made the case directly to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, in his role as lead for the Northern Powerhouse, and this scheme is the Government’s response.

“We are delighted that they listened. These grants could make the difference between survival and going under for some.”

To qualify for the new scheme businesses must have ongoing fixed property-related costs and occupy property – or part of a property – with a rateable value or annual mortgage or rent payments below £51,000. They need not pay business rates.

Each district council has been given a pot of money to distribute at their discretion.

They are inviting businesses to apply by next Monday, June 15. They will then assess the applications and award as many grants as they can.

Rob said: “If demand is high there will be few if any grants of £25,000, the maximum under the scheme, but we expect to see plenty around the £10,000 mark.”

Businesses must complete an online application from the relevant local authority – Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden or South Lakeland – providing as much information as possible to support their claim.

The deadline for submitting applications on June 15 varies. Carlisle and South Lakeland close applications at noon, Barrow at 1pm, Allerdale and Copeland at 5pm and Eden at midnight.