A NEW round of grants opens today to help Bradford-district businesses badly hit by lockdown.

Bradford Council says the latest Additional Restrictions Grants are available to the self-employed, sole traders and company directors of permanently home-based or mobile businesses in the leisure, entertainment, hospitality and events sectors, plus those delivering in-person services.

Eligible businesses will be able to receive the £600 grant in addition to any assistance provided through the Government’s self-employed income support or job retention schemes.

Applicants must be based in the Bradford district, have been in business since November 4 last year and seen at least a 30 per cent reduction in trading income due to lockdown.

Jason Longhurst, interim strategic director of Bradford Council’s department of place, said: “We are doing everything we can to support Bradford-district businesses through what we hope is the final stages of Covid-19 restrictions.”

For further information about the grants and to apply, visit bradford.gov.uk/business.

The closing date for applications is May 24.