Belfast Chamber welcomes Grants Scheme to help businesses deal with COVID-19 outbreak

Simon Hamilton, CEO of Belfast Chamber said: “Belfast Chamber has been impressing upon our politicians the need to offer significant and sizeable support for local businesses to help then deal with the impact that the COVID-19 outbreak is having on their businesses. We are glad that the suggestions we are making in conversations we are having with Ministers are being listened to and, more importantly, responded to with action.  We welcome the announcement this evening that a grants scheme worth a total of £370 million is being introduced in Northern Ireland giving over 30,000 businesses grants of either £10,000 or £25,000. This is a huge amount of money that will help a great many Belfast Chamber members and other businesses across the region.  More support will be needed as this emergency evolves and I know that our Executive recognises that.  Belfast Chamber looks forward to working with them as the situation develops.”