More than 5,400 businesses in Cumbria have yet to take up financial support to get them through the coronavirus crisis.

Almost 17,000 SMEs and those operating in retail, leisure and hospitality across the county are eligible for a share of millions of pounds-worth of grant funding, but a leading organisation says 32 per cent of them have yet to make contact.

District councils are currently distributing the grants and have so far distributed £129.6 million.

Jo Lappin, chair of the Business and Economic Response and Recovery Group and chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Business and Economic Response and Recovery Group welcomes the progress that has been made to pay the grants to businesses.

"However, around 5,500 eligible businesses have not taken up the offer of Government funding.

“I have picked up concerns about whether the grant is some form of scam or is money that needs to be repaid.

"I can confirm that this grant funding is real, available and does not need to be repaid.

"BERRG recognises that this grant money is hugely important to our smaller businesses and those in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector that can no longer trade, and as such we would strongly encourage all eligible businesses to get the funding they deserve.

"If anybody is unsure as to whether they can claim one of these grants they can contact their local council to check their eligibility.

"All eligible businesses are entitled to this money and should come forward as soon as possible to claim this.”

The Small Business Grant Fund is for businesses in England in receipt of either Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rates Relief in the business rates system.

They will be eligible for a payment of £10,000.

The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant is for businesses in England in receipt of the Expanded Retail Discount (which covers retail, hospitality and leisure) with a rateable value of less than £51,000 will be eligible for a cash grants of £10,000 or £25,000 per property.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-support-grant-funding-guidance-for-businesses