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Local businesses affected by the devastating floods in October 2023 can now apply for up to £100,000 of additional support following an announcement today by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council that the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme is now open for applications.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy’s announced the support package last week and a special meeting of the Council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee last evening, 26 February saw Councillors agreed to proceed with the administration of the funding. Council had been involved in delivery of an earlier phase of support which saw 114 eligible businesses getting £7,500.
The scheme for eligible businesses opened today at 12 noon and closes on 22 March 2024 at 12 noon. Applications are to be made via an online portal at SmartSimple | Newry, Mourne & Down District Council
The purpose of the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme grant is to provide up to £100,000 additional support to eligible businesses to help them re-open and resume trading, or remain open and continue trading. Applicants will have two options to choose from during the process dependant on the level of eligible costs incurred, or to be incurred.
Secure economic future
Welcoming the news Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Valerie Harte said, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council welcomes the Department for Economy funding that will enable us to provide this further post-flooding business support. This will help us to secure the medium to long-term economic future of our city and towns. I encourage traders to visit the online portal to check eligibility and make an application for funding ahead of the 22 March deadline.”
Welcome support
Newry BID has also welcomed the news and has asked local businesses to start working on the application form as soon as possible. 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. The BID are also asking for assurances that flood alleviation measures will be put in place to prevent this happening again.
Newry BID Manager Eamonn Connolly 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. 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.”
Newry BID are also welcoming 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.
Eamonn Connolly added “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 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. We need help to deliver a Newry City centre we are proud to live and work in; and a city that is fit for the future to attract continued investment and deliver business growth.”
Applicants will be required to submit appropriate evidence to support their application. All awards are subject to funding availability and late applications will not be accepted. Should they require further support or information, applicants are asked to contact: flooding@nmandd.org
Minister Murphy also announced two hardship schemes to provide support for businesses and some other non-domestic premises that were impacted by the flooding at the end of October/early November 2023 but were not eligible for the previous £7,500 payment or the Enhanced Flood Support Scheme. Details of this scheme are to be announced at a later date.
