Eligible businesses in Harrow can now apply for government support amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Harrow Council reminded small businesses that they could receive one-off grants up to £10,000 if they are eligible for rate relief.

This funding can be used to help meet ongoing business costs but, in order to receive it, they are required to fill in specialist application forms which can be found via the council’s website.

The council also said businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure can secure government grants of up to £25,000 in addition to the business rates holiday announced for 2020/21.

Again, they are required to fill in a specialist form and it urged these businesses to do so to ease any pressures brought on by the pandemic.

The council explained that as part of the application, information will be shared with Spotlight for eligibility checks.

It said: “Where issues are flagged, we will withhold payment and in a post payment assurance due diligence exercise if any issues are identified you will be contacted again.

“Where there is evidence of the grant being claimed falsely or records falsified to obtain the grant you will be open to prosecution and the grant amount will be recovered.”

Visit www.harrow.gov.uk/businessgrants for more information and to access the forms.