Businesses that were not eligible for government funding through previous COVID-19 related financial support packages can apply for funding through the Discretionary Grant Fund.

The new fund is aimed at small and micro businesses that can demonstrate they have suffered a significant fall in income because of COVID-19, have ongoing fixed property-related costs and occupy property or shared office space.

The £944,500 fund for Mansfield district is significantly smaller than previous COVID-19 grant schemes and will only be able to support a limited number of businesses, which have not already received financial support including the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Fund.

To check your eligibility for a grant visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/discretionarygrants and answer some simple questions. If you are eligible, complete the online application form before the closing date of 19 June.

Coun Craig Whitby, portfolio holder for finance, said: “There are many small businesses and traders in Mansfield district that did not qualify for the original government grants.

“I would encourage all of these businesses and traders to use our online eligibility checker to see if they might qualify for a discretionary payment.”

All eligible applications will be determined as quickly as possible after 19 June and payments will be made later this month.