Over 600 Colchester taxi drivers to receive a Covid-19 support grant
Taxi drivers licensed with the Borough Council will receive ÂŁ500
Colchester Borough Council announced on Wednesday plans to extend their Covid Support Grant Scheme to taxi drivers.
The move means over 600 Colchester taxi drivers will receive ÂŁ500 to help them with the financial challenges of the pandemic.
Those who are eligible for the scheme have been contacted by the council to obtain the details to process the grant.
Councillor David King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Resources, said:
"For nearly a year now, Colchester Borough Council has been working hard to distribute grants as widely as possible and, despite the limited national support, we are continuously reviewing eligibility criteria to ensure we can support as many businesses as possible.
"The latest council grants will help taxi drivers, as well as those running a business from home and those whose businesses were not closed but who have been significantly impacted by the crisis.
"Help to our taxi drivers will cost ÂŁ300,000 and will be in addition to the near ÂŁ48million awarded to over 4,000 businesses across our borough. I thank officers for getting out such vital aid to so many so swiftly in the past year."
Councillor Michael Lilley, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Well Being and Public Safety, added:
"This winter has been difficult for Colchester's taxi drivers, and I'm glad we're able to support them through to better times.
"I would like to thank our taxi drivers for their patience, and I will continue to lobby to ensure they get the support they need."
For information you can contact the council via their website and if a business has already applied, they you do not need to apply again.