LEP welcomes scheme to help micro and small businesses

The Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Steve Fogg, has welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement yesterday to offer loans of between £2,000 and £50,000 to micro and small businesses affected by Covid-19, saying ”I am delighted the Government has listened to businesses and extended the existing loan scheme to offer a 100% loan guarantee of up to £50,000 for smaller businesses.

”Intelligence obtained by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has shown that the existing loan scheme simply was not working for many small businesses which have been struggling to access the loans available. The new microloan scheme is an attempt to mitigate a lot of the bureaucracy associated with the previous scheme and enable smaller businesses to access a much needed cash injection for their companies.”

He went on to say, ”Micro and small businesses account for over 90% of the Lancashire economy and it is vital for them to be able to access loans quickly and easily to stay afloat and be in a stronger position for a speedier recovery once we begin to return to some sort of normality as the restrictions are eased.”

Sarah Kemp, Chief Executive of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership added, ”Every day we are hearing of examples whereby Lancashire businesses have adapted during this crisis which is testament to the ability of our businesses to innovate. This is fantastic. Unfortunately we are also hearing of businesses which have experienced extreme pressures as a result of cash flow problems, many of which are attributable to supply chain issues.

“The microloan scheme should hopefully alleviate some of these immediate difficulties and improve their resilience and prospects of survival during these very challenging times.”

Up to date information on this and other support packages can be found via the LEP website at www.lancashirelep.co.uk/Covid-19