More than 700 businesses have been supported by Sutton Council during the pandemic.

Council authorities have revealed that they have spent over £48million in recovery grants since the start of lockdown.

The grant schemes are funded by the government and council as part of a package of support for businesses during the pandemic and the months that follow.

The council has also set up its own local discretionary grant funding schemes and worked hard to identify businesses eligible to receive grants and reliefs.

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From April 12, all non-essential retail, personal care and outdoor hospitality reopened, and indoor hospitality venues followed from May 17.

Sutton Council has helped businesses in the borough to make them Covid-secure for customers when they reopened as well as support businesses with pavement licenses for alfresco dining.

Authorities confirmed to Sutton Guardian that they had reduced or extended licence fees to cover the periods when shops had to remain closed.

They also promoted licences for outdoor eating and drinking - with 20 venues now offering customers this option in Sutton.

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Councillor Jayne McCoy, Chair of Sutton Council’s Housing, Economy & Business Committee, said: “Since the start of the pandemic, the Council has taken a key role in supporting Sutton’s recovery providing £48million financial support to all eligible businesses.

“This £48million issued over the past year in grant funding was vital to enable Sutton’s businesses to meet their financial commitments during the pandemic and ensure they could continue to trade until restrictions were lifted.

“In addition to providing grants, the Council has also guided businesses through an extremely difficult period and supported them with reopening.

”Now that the business grant schemes are closing and restrictions have lifted fully, the Council is keen to understand from businesses what they need to support the borough’s recovery from Covid-19.

"A survey for all Sutton businesses will launch later this month and we look forward to hearing how together we can create jobs for our residents and a greener local economy.”