MILLIONS of pounds worth of business grants have been awarded by Middlesbrough Council to help safeguard jobs during coronavirus lockdown.

More than 1,150 Middlesbrough businesses have been given over £13million of grants so far.

It comes as Mayor Andy Preston revealed Middlesbrough Council took a decision to start awarding grants before Government money was received in order to support local businesses and workers as quickly as possible.

Most retail, hospitality and leisure-based businesses in England now qualify for 100 per cent retail rates relief for the next 12 months.

Businesses entitled to the retail relief operating from premises with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £50,999 will receive a £25,000 grant, while grants of £10,000 will be awarded to any small business eligible to Small Business Rates Relief.

Nursery ratepayers in properties on the Early Years Register will also be given a rates holiday for 2020/21.

Middlesbrough Council have been contacting all eligible businesses, but those who think they are eligible can fill in and submit an online claim form.

In total 1,157 grants have been processed which amounts to £13.2m for local businesses.

To further support businesses, charges in all council pay and display car parks and on-street parking meters have been suspended to support any key workers still needing to come into town.

One local independent business who have been awarded a grant is Hillier Jewellers, based on Linthorpe Road.

Adam Hillier, who runs the business with brother Lewis, said: "For myself the speed it came through was brilliant and makes a huge difference.

"We are still having to look at Government loans as a safety net because we don't know what the next four or five months are going to bring."

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: "We knew straight away how much of a lifeline these grants would be to protect local jobs and that's why we took the decision to go out on a limb and start awarding grants before we'd received even a single penny from the Government.

"I think that support from within the council and from council officers says a lot about how determined we are to sustain jobs in Middlesbrough and grow job opportunities for everyone."

Mr Preston added that support was also available for all Middlesbrough residents via Help Boro on 01642-729777.