Liverpool City Region leaders announce deadline extension for ₤8.1m scheme to support Covid hit businesses

LIVERPOOL City Region's leaders have agreed to extend the deadline for their ₤8.1m Trading On Scheme designed to support businesses affected by the Covid19 Pandemic. The new window for applications opens 10.00am, Monday, 29 November 2021 and closes 5.00pm, Friday, 10 December 2021. Businesses that have already applied are being appraised and do not need to reapply. The additional ₤8.1m to support local businesses, known as the Trading On scheme,- was secured by the Liverpool City Region after it successfully distributed more than ₤44m in emergency funding to more than 4000 businesses across the City Region.

The original ₤44m from the Government's Additional Restrictions Grant scheme was secured by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, following negotiations with Government when the City Region was 1st put into Tier 3 restrictions in October 2020.

The ₤8.1m in funding available under the Trading On Scheme is allocated to the City Region's 6 Local Authorities, proportionate to population. This latest support scheme will specifically support small or medium sized businesses (SMEs), with between 10 and 249 employees. But for many small businesses, the setting of 10 and 249 employees knocks them out of getting this help.

In a joint statement about the Trading On Scheme, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Cllr Mike Wharton, Leader, Halton Borough Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader, Knowsley Borough Council, Joanne Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Ian Maher, Leader, Sefton Borough Council, Cllr David Baines, Leader, St. Helens Borough Council and Cllr Janette Williamson, Leader, Wirral Borough Council said:- "Throughout the past 18 months, we have worked together to protect our Region from the biggest challenge it has faced since the war. That collaboration, creativity and hard work resulted in millions of pounds of support that helped sustain thousands of businesses in all parts of our Region through the worst of the Pandemic. More than ₤44m was distributed to more than 4,000 businesses, saving many more thousands of jobs and livelihoods in the process. We start our recovery from a much stronger position as a result. That recovery is already well underway and received a massive boost in May, with the launch of Mayor Steve Rotheram's ₤150m Covid Recovery Fund, which has allowed our Region to get a head start on the rest of the country. We launched this additional ₤8.1m of funding for SMEs, that make up a massive chunk of the local economy, and are extending the deadline for applications so it can benefit as many local businesses as possible. Together, we are making sure that the Liverpool City Region has the fastest and strongest recovery possible, with no 1 left behind."

A businessman in Southport said:- "I can't go on record with my name as it would put customers off from using us and also upset my staff, but I have to say something... This is like rubbing your face in it! Saying they have funds, but we can't access it as we don't employ enough people is shocking. Many like me are close to going under, despite the headlines being push out by both Labour and the Conservatives. I have had no support personally, yet I was expected to pay bills to keep my business afloat. We have had no real support, with no income... Yet our larger competitors get even more help, putting us at an even worse disadvantage. Then we are expected to help support the likes of the Southport BID, put up wages and the list goes on.... It appears we are out of touch with reality in the UK and 2022 might be the the year that the chickens come home to roost...!"

The Government requires each Council to exercise its local knowledge and judgment in devising a grant scheme that aligns best with the particular economic characteristics of its area by funding those businesses that have been severely impacted by Covid19. Because of this and the limited amount of funding available, the amounts of grant funding for individual businesses will vary across different Local Authority areas.

For more information on the individual schemes, including:- eligibility and how to apply, businesses should visit their local Council website.

The current sums for allocation are as follows:-

Halton - ₤673,634.01
Knowsley - ₤785,559.29
Liverpool - ₤2,592,501.84
Sefton - ₤1,438,890.58
St Helens - ₤940,172.35
Wirral - ₤1,686,687.94

Liverpool City Region's total funding = ₤8,117,446.00

Merseytravel, City Council, Police and bus companies join forces to keep City moving this Christmas!

A joint traffic management scheme will be operating until Friday, 24 December 2021 to keep City moving this Christmas. This initiative has been operated at Christmas for almost 10 years, and has proven successful in keeping people and vehicles moving through the City Centre during the very busy times leading up to Christmas. The system helps to support Liverpool's retail and hospitality businesses during this vital period by reducing illegal parking and monitoring traffic flow to prevent gridlock and make sure that bus services remain as punctual as possible. Each organisation and operator will share information and resources meaning they can respond more quickly to issues and more effectively manage movement through the City Centre, particularly on important routes like:- Hanover Street and transport hubs like:- Liverpool 1 Bus Station.

Illegal parking, which causes traffic congestion at busy times, will be addressed through parking enforcement in:- 'hot spot' areas. Bus operators and highways staff will also report illegal parking that they see causing a problem and PCSO and Merseyside Police officers will stop taxis and private vehicles from dropping off in bus stops and road junctions, and from blocking yellow box junction markings in the City Centre. The launch of the initiative also coincides with temporary traffic measures limiting the use of Lime Street to taxis, buses and cycles, to ease movements around the current roadworks in the City Centre.

Key advice to people visiting Liverpool City Centre:- "Use public transport wherever possible and avoid travelling at peak times if you can..."

Cllr Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Portfolio Holder said:- "After the difficult time we faced last year, it's great to see the City Centre so vibrant and busy as we gear up to Christmas, but with that can come congestion and frustration. By working together and sharing resources we're being innovative in how we approach the issue, helping commuters and shoppers to get around as easily as possible and also addressing the resulting air pollution that congestion can cause. We encourage people to play their part too by sticking to public transport wherever possible and avoiding travelling at peak times if they can."

Traffic Management Constable Andy Astle, Merseyside Police:- "After the year we have all experienced, it is more important than ever that we come together and have a safe and joyful Christmas and New Year. And this initiative with all partners working together to keep our roads safe and obstruction-free aims to do just that. Throughout the festive period our Roads Policing Officers will be key locations to ensure traffic flow around the City Centre runs smoothly, and vehicles do not cause unnecessary hazards to other cars and pedestrians."

Howard Farrall, Managing Director of Arriva Merseyside:- "We know how much of a negative impact congestion can have on our roads &to our journeys, particularly at such a busy time a year as Christmas. Therefore, Arriva is once again committed to working with closely with fellow public transport operators and the Police, to help reduce and tackle issues surrounding road congestion"

Alex Crane Operations Director at Stagecoach Merseyside said:- "We're pleased to be working collaboratively to tackle congestion over the festive period by adopting a strategic and innovative approach which will ensure knowledge and resources are being shared between our partners to improve traffic flow, reduce pollution and ultimately make the run up to Christmas a happier, and less stressful experience."

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Liverpool City Region leaders announce deadline extension for ₤8.1m scheme to support Covid hit businesses

Merseytravel, City Council, Police and bus companies join forces to keep City moving this Christmas!