Small businesses impacted by Storm Babet urged to apply for grants

Businesses with properties that were damaged by Storm Babet earlier this year are being encouraged to apply for grants of up to £3,000 to help with repairs.

Hitting the UK in October, Storm Babet was one of the most severe weather events to affect the UK in recent years. It led to widespread flooding, damage to buildings and the deaths of seven people.

According to the Met Office, 19 October 2023 in the county of Angus was the wettest day on record in a series from 1891 with repairs likely to exceed £4m. It was also the third-wettest independent three-day period for England and Wales in a series from 1891, while the Midlands provisionally recorded its wettest three-day period on record.

Grants for businesses impacted by Storm Babet

The UK and devolved governments are providing grants to small and medium sized businesses that were severely impacted between 19 and 25 October.

In England and Wales up to £2,500 from the Business Recovery Grant scheme is available to businesses that were affected by the storm.

Businesses significantly affected by flooding are also eligible for business rates relief for at least three months, while firms can apply for up to £5,000 to help make their businesses more resilient to future flooding via the Property Flood Resilience Repair Grant Scheme.

In Scotland, £3,000 grants are available to businesses "where there is evidence that ability to trade was severely impacted". They can also get hardship relief for non-domestic rates where they would face financial difficulty without it.

Businesses need to apply to their local council for the grants. Many application deadlines are in January 2024. You can find details for your local council here.