Chancellor's grants 'will be a lifeline' for some Norfolk businesses
Rishi Sunak has announced a £4.6 billion investment into grants for firms
The chancellor's support for businesses could offer a lifeline for firms all over Norfolk, according to business leaders.
On Tuesday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £4.6 billion investment to support businesses and protect jobs after the announcement of the third lockdown.
In a statement, the government said:
"Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the Chancellor has announced."
Now a Norfolk business support district has said the grants could offer lifelines to some businesses in the county, although it won't help them all.
Vicky Etheridge is from West Norfolk's Business Improvement District.
She said:
"I hope it does help some businesses who have been thinking how they were going to get through to March or April, that this might see them through.
But realistically, they're all different and have different costs, so for some it will just be a drop in the ocean, but for others it could be that lifeline that they really need.
"It's great that more help is being provided and I think you've got to look at it in the package of other help that's being provided in terms of furlough and the other local restriction grants that are there."
She has also assured businesses, there is still support out there for anyone who needs it - whether just advice on the new rules or for help applying for grants.
She added:
"If we can't help, we'll probably know someone who can.
"The thing about BID is not only the immediate team, we've got a board of 11 members who all run businesses who have expertise and skills. And they also have networks that they can tap in to to point people in the right direction."