Businesses share in hardship payout (From Western Telegraph)

Businesses share in hardship payout

MORE than 100 Pembrokeshire businesses suffering hardship because of the economic fall-out of foot and mouth are to get a share in a £1.23 million rural regeneration package.

Thousands of pounds will be paid out in the next few weeks to 110 businesses whose cash flows have been hit by the on-going crisis.

Twenty-two are thought to be eligible for more than £5,000 each, while 19 are claiming compensation ranging between £2,500 to £5,000. A further 68 will be paid up to £2,500.

Those businesses, ranging from hotels and riding stables to livestock hauliers and auctioneers, were told on Friday that their claims had been successful.

Pembrokeshire County Council is administering the Foot and Mouth Hardship Grant Scheme, on behalf of the National Assembly. Every penny of the £1.23 million has been allocated.

Its spokesman said a total of 113 claims had been submitted but three were not eligible. All claims will be subjected to a final check," he said. The terms of the payouts are specific. The scheme is not intended to provide compensation against losses, but to target support to businesses hit by cash flow and other problems.

Although the foot and mouth crisis is far from over, no further claims can be made. The closing date was June 15th.

But Richard Hill, Pembrokeshire County Councils assistant business development officer, says the authority will fight for a share in further compensation packages. We are doing our best to secure additional money and will inform the business community as and when that becomes available," he said.

The economic fall-out of the disease, in the agriculture sector in particular, will be felt for months to come.

Tourism operators are recovering some lost trade this month, but returns for beef and sheep farmers remain at their lowest for several years.

q Non-agricultural businesses in Carmarthenshire which have been adversely affected by the crisis are also in line for extra financial support. The National Assembly has allocated £500,000 for Carmarthenshire County Council to help such businesses.

Businesses which have been affected, but have not yet made an application for financial support, can contact the county councils Economic Development Division to request an application form.

The closing date for applications is Friday, August 31st.