Millions of pounds have been handed out to Harborough businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic

More than £21 million in Government Covid-19 grants has been handed out by Harborough council to boost over 1,700 local businesses battling to survive.

The council has administered three business grant schemes since April - the Small Business and Retail grant, Hospitality and Leisure initiative and Discretionary Grants blueprint.

The authority has issued an astonishing £21.3 million in grants to 1,757 businesses across Harborough hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

In respect of the:

- Small Business and Retail, Hospitality & Leisure schemes, the council has forked out £20.6 million to 1,646 businesses. The council is being fully reimbursed for the grants issued on an ‘on-account’ basis

- Discretionary Grants scheme, the council has given out £678,000 in grants to 111 businesses. The council received an allocation of just over £1 million.

The types of business supported by the Discretionary Grants scheme are:

Small businesses in shared/flexible accommodation: 56

Regular market traders with fixed building costs: 6

B&Bs that pay Council Tax: 4

Charitable properties paying business rates: 2

Seasonal tourism: 12

Independent food & drink producers: 4

Independent creative industry: 12

Independent agricultural industry: 4

Childcare Nurseries: 11

All three Government grant schemes closed at the end of August.

“The council is thanking everyone who has helped in the grant payment process,” said a council spokesman.