A COUNCIL growth boss is urging businesses hit by the new national lockdown to apply for government grants to help them through.

Blackburn with Darwen’s Cllr Phil Riley has highlighted borough firms' entitlement to a new Local Business Restrictions grant with specific payments for specific classes of eligible businesses that are closed by the new government regulations. Her also said firms could apply for a discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant.

Cllr Riley said: “More details on how to apply for the grants and who is eligible will be available on the council website shortly.

“Certain payments pre-dating the lockdown will still be available, including tier 3 payments, and we should have

“This is obviously absolutely devastating for businesses and firms in the borough, especially as many had only just started to get back up and running after the first lockdown.

“As ever, the council will do what it can to help and support them."