More than £62million in grants have been paid by East Devon District Council (EDDC) to businesses over the last 12 months to help them through the pandemic.

Thousands of East Devon businesses have benefitted from the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) and Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG).

The LRSG helps rate-paying businesses which were forced to close during periods of national restrictions since November – known as the LRSG (Closed) - and through the tiered restrictions with the LRSG (Open) scheme.

Businesses which weren’t eligible for LRSG are able to apply for ARG if their turnover has been severely affected by the national restrictions and they can prove fixed business costs of at least £250 per month.

Dave Moore, managing director, Brooklands Events, said: “I was completely overwhelmed and it felt like a cloud was being lifted by the EDDC decision to award us a grant.

“I had been resigned to think that we might be overlooked again, but nevertheless we persevered in applying.

“All I can say is an enormous thank you for the grant. It certainly means that we now have several solutions to a few problems that we were about to face. It means that we can confidently move forward to start the ‘season’.

“Already, we have been able to confidently take on more jobs, knowing that we can expand our team to be part of what we do best. In any small business, cash flow is imperative.”

Sean Cunningham, managing director, Phoenix Cellar Services Ltd, said: “We are very grateful for the grant we received. It will go a long way to help our business recover more speedily and ensure continued employment of our all staff.”

A new Restart Grant will be administered by the Council and more information on this will be available soon.

Mark Williams, chief executive of EDDC, said: “When a new grant scheme is announced, we have to wait for Government guidance and the funding, to set up the new scheme online.

“This takes time and we thank businesses for their patience while the funds are processed and paid as fast as we can.”

More information about business grants and how to apply is available: eastdevon.gov.uk/business-grants