Coronavirus: Bury St Edmunds business owner calls for 'across the board' help for firms

A dog day care owner says the government’s lockdown support measures to businesses have left companies like his own ‘falling through the cracks’.

The government has also faced calls from the Bury St Edmunds business community to ‘be more open’ about its financial support.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has already announced the furlough scheme, grants for some businesses and relief from business rates for companies in buildings of a rateable value of below £15,000.

There is also the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme - which sees banks lend firms money, with the government guaranteeing 80 per cent of the loan.

Jon Kay, managing director of Camp Tails Doggy Daycare, said his company is ineligible for the government’s grant, while his building in Boldero Road, in Moreton Hall estate, is too large for business rate relief.

He said: “We have not applied for a loan because borrowing money would be digging a hole right now, and not the right solution.

“We don’t get a grant but the council still expects us to pay the rates on our premises. But we can’t open because of the measures.”

Camp Tails pledges to provide ‘premium dog day care,’ and offers climbing frames for dogs to use. But the business is not considered essential and falls outside of the government’s specifications for ‘hospitality’.

Mr Kay continued: “We have attempted to appeal this but it has fallen on deaf ears.

“The government is saying they have solved the problem but they have not for a lot of people. It is unfair and the help should be across the board. We are just hoping we don’t go bust.”

Keith Senior, director of accountants Jacobs Allen, said many of the firm’s 600 clients have expressed concerns.

The Treasury has been contacted for comment.