COUNCIL chiefs in Flintshire have welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement of support for new businesses dealing with the severe impact of Coronavirus.

A number of people who have started a business in the last year don’t qualify for support from the UK Government’s self employment income support scheme.

This new scheme will provide crucial funding to people who established their businesses between April 1, 2019, and March 1, 2020, helping them to continue trading through the pandemic.

A Flintshire Council spokesman said: "The new start-up grant will support up to 2,000 businesses in Wales, with up to £2,500 each.

"Applications for this grant open on June 29, at the same time as phase two of the Economic Resilience Fund opens to applications.

"To be eligible for the start-up grant, businesses must have not received funding from the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund or the non-domestic rates grant, have been set up between the April 1 2019 and March 1 2020 and have not qualified for the UK Government’s Self Employment Income Support Scheme."

Businesses wishing to apply must also have less than £50,000 turnover and have experienced a drop in turnover of more than 50 per cent between April and June 2020.

Applicants need to submit a two-page application form and self-declaration supported by evidence.

The application form can be found on Flintshire Council's website.