Funding launched to help businesses recover from Ciara

The Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) has created a £2m recovery fund for businesses in Calderdale that were devastated by flooding following Storm Ciara. 

The LEP, working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Calderdale Council, has set up the Calderdale Business Flood Recovery Fund to help around 600 business affected. 

Most of those affected are small to medium sized firms specialising in retail, leisure and tourism – many of which were unable to insure their businesses following the Boxing Day floods in 2015.

Emergency grants of up to £2,500 are available to help businesses cover short term costs such as replacing critical equipment, dehumidifying their premises and carrying out urgent repairs so they can get back on their feet quickly. 

For businesses which have been hit harder, larger grants of up are available to help refurbish damaged premises and replace larger equipment such as machinery. 

Roger Marsh, chairman of the LEP, said: “It’s devastating to see the scale of damage in Calderdale and I can only imagine how heart-breaking it must be for those business owners and employees who have been affected. 

“SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy and it’s vital that we work with our partners to help get the community back on its feet and open for business as soon as possible.” 

Councillor Tim Swift, leader of Calderdale Council and deputy chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the flooding, and we are doing everything we can to support them.

“There are major impacts across Calderdale, with 600 businesses flooded throughout the borough and significant recovery efforts ongoing.

“Local businesses are a vital part of our economy and we know how awful the impacts of flooding can be for their livelihoods.

“We want them to get back up and running as quickly as possible. I really welcome this initial injection of funding from the Leeds City Region, which recognises the unique scale of the challenges we face.

“We urge businesses to take up the grants available and are putting in place additional staffing to manage demand and ensure we can process claims as quickly as possible.” 

Businesses looking for more information about the grants should e-mail business@calderdale.gov.uk for further information. 

Support is also available for businesses based elsewhere in the City Region that have been affected by flooding. Contact businessgrowth@the-lep.com for more information.