HUNDREDS of Bury businesses affected by the pandemic have yet to apply for financial help with the deadline for a fund approaching at the end of the month.

The council has been allocated an extra £3m to help companies who were ineligible to receive cash support under previous business rate discount schemes.

Council officers worry that many firms will miss out. Just last week, they contacted 1,078 Bury companies who they believe could be eligible but have not yet applied.

Payments will be made towards a business’s 2021/22 rates bill.

If the award of a relief puts the rate account into credit, the credit could be used to offset any other outstanding business rates liability, or the 2022/23 business rates bill.

Alternatively, the council will be able to provide a refund of the credit.

The deadline to apply is Saturday, April 30.

For eligibility details, and an application form, visit www.bury.gov.uk/CARF.