West Oxfordshire District Council has made payments to 135 small and micro businesses through a scheme designed to help those who have 'slipped through the net'.

The payments from the Government’s Discretionary Business Grants Scheme come just three weeks after the scheme opened, and a further 11 businesses have been allocated grants not yet paid.

The scheme is intended for very small businesses that do not qualify for other government support.

The council has had £1.3m available to fund local businesses.

Nine businesses received the maximum possible grant of £25,000. The lowest grant is £1,000. On average, businesses received £8,830. Grants were calculated as a percentage of lost turnover.

ALSO READ: Oxford City Council accused of not helping small businesses in lockdown

Payments were made to businesses on Monday, June 22, and should be applicants’ accounts by June 24.

Cllr Toby Morris, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Resources said: “This has been a really quick turnaround from application to payment and congratulations to the team who have achieved that. I hope this will be seen as an indication of how much we value our small businesses.

“We have operated within a fixed sum from central Government and we have stuck very closely to the Government’s guidelines in determining which businesses will receive a grant.

Others in need of support can contact 01993 861070.