BUSINESSES hit by COVID-19 restrictions are being handed new sources of funding support by Leeds City Council.

The council has already awarded more than 2,100 grants worth a combined £3.39m to businesses in the city forced to close due to the measures designed to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Now two more business support schemes have been launched. One is aimed at hospitality venues and accommodation providers that have suffered financially as a result of the local restrictions introduced in the city on September 25.The other is intended to help businesses cover fixed non-domestic property costs such as mortgage payments, rent and service charges.

Applications for the property costs grants opened last week and will initially run to December 8. Businesses that are home-based or have property costs under £4,000 a year do not qualify. But the council is working on a scheme to help home-based businesses.

The national restrictions scheme for businesses required to close under the country-wide lockdown that began on November 5 also remains open.Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/coronavirus/business for details.