The amount of money given out to help Barrow businesses in need during the pandemic has been revealed.

Barrow Council paid out £11,805,000.00 which was spread out over 1,093 claims to firms in need of support due to Covid-19.

The Small Business Retail, Hospitality and Leisure fund saw 1,014 successful claims with £11,447,500 paid out, while over two rounds of applications, £357,500 was paid out in discretionary grants to 79 successful claims.

The updated numbers were revealed through an internal audit progress report to Barrow councillors at their recent audit and governance committee meeting.

Walney South Labour councillor Frank Cassidy said: “The coronavirus pandemic has impacted on an unsuspecting world and governments of all political stripes have been trying to deal with it in the best ways they can.

“Downing Street announced a package of relief measures designed to support businesses that were badly hit by the emergency and local authorities – including Barrow Council – have played their part in distributing funds.

“Businesses need help, but so do hard-up families.

"I think the crisis will be with us for some time yet and things will be under constant review.

“I received telephone calls last Christmas from local business people asking for guidance and our town hall staff came to the rescue on each occasion.”

The Local Restrictions Support Grant is for those businesses that were mandated to close between February 16 to March 31 of this year.

The scheme is still open for first-time applicants and is expected to close on May 31.

This scheme is designed for rate-paying non-essential retail, such as: hospitality; accommodation; leisure and sports; entertainment venues; along with personal care; community centres and halls.

The council’s website said: “Businesses that have chosen to close, but had not been required to, will not be eligible for these grants.”