Businesses required to close due to the second national Coronavirus lockdown can now apply to South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) to access government support.

The application process went live on Monday.

Businesses required to close in England due to the national restrictions will be eligible.

Grants range from £1,334 to £3,000 per month, depending on the rateable value of a property.

Councillor Robin Ashcroft, SLDC portfolio holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: “We realise this is a worrying time for business and have been doing everything we can to set up this scheme as quickly as possible.

"Our success administering the government's Small Business Grant, Retail, Leisure and Hospitality and Discretionary Grants funds earlier in the year has stood us in good stead to distribute this money as swiftly as humanly possible.

"We are proud of the many and varied businesses operating in South Lakeland and are committed, as always, to doing whatever we can to help them."

More details on this scheme and other support available can be found at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/business-and-trade/business-support-coronavirus-covid-19/

Businesses that received a small business or retail, hospitality and leisure grant earlier in the year may not need to reapply, as SLDC are trying to automate as many payments as possible.

These businesses will be emailed from Monday with a link to a pre-populated application form.