'Use it or lose it' is the message from the council.

North Herts District Council are urging businesses in Hitchin and surrounding areas to sign up for Business Support Grant funding if they haven't already - before the window slams shut on applications.

Hitchin Nub News has revealed that £2.6m still remains in the kitty for businesses to claim - but you have to hurry to be handed the cash.

Business Support Grants were created by the government to financially support businesses across the county during the Covid crisis.

NHDC has acted as an administrator on behalf of the government, awarding grant funding to eligible businesses in the district.

Two sets of funding are available:

Small Business Grant Fund: Small businesses with a rateable value of under £15,000 may be eligible to receive a £10,000 grant to assist with the impact of coronavirus on their business

Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund: Qualifying retail, hospitality and leisure businesses where the rateable value is under £51,000 could be eligible for a grant of either £10,000 or £25,000.

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Meaning shops, restaurants, cafés, bars or pubs, cinemas or live music venues, estate agents or letting agencies, assembly or leisure properties - including sports clubs and gyms as well as 'hospitality properties' such as hotels, guest houses or self-catering accommodation.

Grants awarded are not a loan, so businesses do not need to pay any money back.

So far NHDC have paid out £26,500,600 from of an allocation of £29,115,000 - meaning there is still a maximum of £2,614,400 available in the pot, with the council confirming 2,206 businesses have benefitted from these payments so far, with the average payout totalling £12,012.

The government's grant scheme permanently closes on 28 August.

For more visit the NHDC website