Before Christmas, the Council’s Finance and Business Support Teams were working round the clock to process payments to a wide range of qualifying businesses through its Discretionary and Local Restrictions Grant Schemes arising following the second national lockdown in November. By 24 December the council had distributed £2.578 million to over 1,700 businesses in the district.

Following the move into Tier 4 on 31 December, grants are available to businesses which have now been mandated to close.

In addition to these vital grants, evidence supports the decision to offer free parking in the Council owned car parks in December enticed Christmas shoppers into the town centres. This gave a timely boost to the independent retailers unable to open during the November lockdown.

Despite the cancellation of the traditional light switch-on events, the Council’s Events, Media and Spa Centre teams collaborated to ‘Light Up the District’ in a community wide virtual event across Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Warwick and Whitnash, viewed by thousands via social media and YouTube.

Behind the scenes the Health and Community Protection Team has been working together with the County Council to not only set up the COVID testing centres in Leamington and Whitnash, but to also provide advice to businesses on the new regulations rapidly put in place to meet this ever changing public health emergency. The team has also administered grant payments to a host of community organisations whose vital work has been impacted by the pandemic.

The Leader of Warwick District Council, Councillor Andrew Day commented;

Working together, across the Council and with our partners we’re acting positively to back our businesses and the community during these difficult times. I want to reassure everyone that our support to those in need will continue. I’m optimistic that by taking direct and positive action we can maintain the high level of resilience needed to build back better. I’d personally like to pay tribute to the remarkable teams of Warwick District Council officers who have given exemplary service to our community over the last year.”