SMALL businesses in Bury have started receiving government grants of up to £25,000 this week.

Bury North MP James Daly has been urging firms in the borough in particular to apply for retail and hospitality handouts.

Small and medium-sized enterprises qualify for the assistance, which is being delivered by the Government.

Mr Daly said: "The grant is for businesses that are losing revenue, and seeing their cashflow disrupted.

"The grant provides businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property."

Smaller businesses, with a rateable value under £15,000, would be eligible for up to £10,000.

"The scheme is part of a wider package of government support for Bury's businesses and employees," added Mr Daly.

The borough has been allocated £42.9m of government money to hand out to companies during the coronavirus crisis.

An estimated 2,800 businesses have been identified as being eligible for the grants of £10,000 and a further 370 businesses are set to benefit from grants of £25,000.

Borough council chief executive Geoff Little said the council started paying the grants to businesses on Wednesday.

But some small businesses say they have not received any money yet.

Simon Shekyls is the director of GVL Management, a transport consultancy based in Bury town centre.

He said: “Two weeks since the statement about small business rates relief grant monies, I know of nobody that has received any of this support.

“I’ve yet to hear any fellow business people being able to access these government underwritten loans.

"Telephone lines are not accessible, no online application opportunities from non-bank clients. The barriers are immense."

Mr Little said there have may been some short-term issues implementing the scheme but the grants should now be being paid to eligible businesses.