Businesses hit by recent flooding, including the torrential downpours on Saturday 8 July and during June, can now apply for emergency financial help from Derbyshire County Council’s hardship fund.
The council have set up the scheme to offer one-off grants of £500 for businesses employing up to 50 people.
In total, up to £20,000 of financial support is available for eligible households and businesses in Derbyshire affected by the recent surface water flash flooding.
Initial feedback shows that a number of towns have experienced flash flooding including Matlock, Cromford, Ripley, Killamarsh, Dronfield, parts of Chesterfield, and in Swadlincote.
The emergency payments aim to help cover the loss of any immediate, short-term loss of income and cashflow difficulties and to help pay for repairs and replacement of items until insurance claims are settled.
The fund closes on Friday 4 August.
To make a claim, businesses will need to provide photographs showing spoilt items of stock, internal building damage and receipts for replacement products.
Payments to businesses will be made by BACS bank transfer.
Council Leader, Councillor Barry Lewis, said: “The torrential downpours in early July caused unavoidable flash flooding in Matlock and other communities across Derbyshire as drains were overwhelmed with the huge quantity of rainwater.
“Since that weekend, I’ve seen the impact of the surface water flooding and spoken to a number of residents and businesses in the areas affected.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with local communities and our financial grant scheme will help people deal with the aftermath of the flood damage and clean up, supporting their business or their home.
“The flood grant application process is straightforward and I’d urge people to apply for the help on offer. If we experience any further flooding over the coming months, we intend to reopen the scheme to provide additional, emergency support to local communities.”
