Colchester Council extends Covid Financial Support Grant Scheme to taxi drivers

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Colchester Borough Council has extended its Covid Support Grant scheme to taxi drivers. The move will allow taxi drivers licensed with Colchester Borough Council to access vital support, to help them through the financial challenges arising from the pandemic.

Over 600 taxi drivers eligible for the scheme have been contacted by the council to obtain the details to process the grant.

Councillor David King, Portfolio Holder for Business and Resources, said: “For nearly a year now, Colchester Borough Council has been working hard to distribute grants as widely as possible and, despite the limited national support, we are continuously reviewing eligibility criteria to ensure we can support as many businesses as possible.

“The latest council grants will help taxi drivers, as well as those running a business from home and those whose businesses were not closed but who have been significantly impacted by the crisis.

“Help to our taxi drivers will cost £300,000 and will be in addition to the near £48million awarded to over 4,000 businesses across our borough. I thank officers for getting out such vital aid to so many so swiftly in the past year.”

Councillor Michael Lilley, Portfolio Holder for Communities, Well Being and Public Safety, added: “This winter has been difficult for Colchester’s taxi drivers, and I’m glad we’re able to support them through to better times.

“I would like to thank our taxi drivers for their patience, and I will continue to lobby to ensure they get the support they need.”