North Herts District Council have promised further support for businesses in our area struggling to survive the pandemic.

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing a third national lockdown this week as the new strain of coronavirus threatens to overwhelm the NHS, more help is at hand for Hitchin and north Herts businesses.

As Covid infection rates soar and all but essential shops open, as companies are forced to shut and many workers put on furlough or working from home, NHDC is currently working to set up an efficient, simplified grant payments system to get much needed financial support to businesses that are eligible, as quickly as possible.

A spokesperson for NHDC told Nub News: "We understand this is a very difficult time for businesses, particularly following restrictions and temporary closures during Tiers 2, 3 and 4, and now the national lockdown.

"Please keep an eye on our website and social media for more information as soon as it becomes available.

"In the meantime, we urge all businesses to apply for grants that are currently open to them. These include Local Restrictions Support Grants and Christmas Support Payments for Wet-Led Pubs."

For more information and how to apply online, visit their website here.