Newry BID Welcomes Phase Two of Flood Enhanced Grant
Newry BID has welcomed the news announced today that the Enhanced Flood Damage Grant application process is now open.
Newry BID has been lobbying for this additional support from the £15m pledged by the UK Government to be made available to flood impacted businesses as quickly as possible.
Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager said: “We have had oversight of the application form and the process to allocate the remaining £10m of the grant support.
“Much as we had expected, the process will be overseen by appointed Loss Adjustors and will involve time and effort on the impacted businesses behalf to complete this.
“There is however, up to £100,000 of additional support for businesses worst affected.
“We welcome the addition of loss of stock as a consideration in the allocation of support and we hope that this will cover many of our members and others who were affected by the flooding.
“The issues we have are with the bigger businesses who incurred more than £100,000 damage and the businesses who didn’t, for a number of reasons, qualify for the initial £7,500 grant.”
Eamonn Connolly added: “The enhanced support requires the business to have met the criteria for the initial £7,500 support.
“We will continue to lobby on these businesses’ behalf.”
“We also welcome the new updates pertaining to businesses with flood insurance that isn’t paying out on part of the damage falling within consideration for the scheme and the advent of a much need appeals process.”
“Therefiore, ee urge businesses to get sight of this form as quickly as possible and start working on it.
“It needs to be submitted by 22nd March at noon (closing date).
“We will be holding mini-workshops for members to support with completion of the paperwork.
“Details of these will be sent to members. We ask that NMD Council please process these applications as quickly as possible as the need is great in the business community.
“We cannot have people waiting for support for another day longer than they have to and the lack of time related parameters re. payments on the guidance notes is a concern.”
“Finally, we have held a number of meetings with impacted members and key outputs emerged.
“People want answers about how and why this flood happened.
“And they also want assurances that investment will be made in flood alleviation to prevent this from happening again.
“Businesses need confidence and certainty to continue to trade in a flood risk area such as Newry City Centre.
“We will continue to lobby those with infrastructure powers to please address the deficit.
