AROUND £20 million has been distributed to struggling businesses in Colchester in less than a week, as efforts to combat the economic impact of Covid-19 ramp up.

Colchester Council has given out the Government cash to roughly half of eligible firms in the borough in the form of small business and retail hospitality and leisure grants.

In total, the authority has been handed £42 million by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which it is attempting to distribute over the coming weeks.

David King, councillor responsible for business and resources, said: "Distributing funding to over 50 per cent of eligible businesses in just one week is fantastic progress, swifter than many other councils, with 1500 individual grants already processed, while also providing the best advice the council can to the many businesses seeking help.

“However, we know the many difficulties businesses and their employees face as the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping the country and we will work hard to distribute the remaining grants to local businesses by May 1.”

At The Gazette we're encouraging our readers to do their bit to help the county's firms through the crisis.

Mr King is supporting our #BackingEssexBusiness campaign, which is showcasing the efforts of firms going above and beyond to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

He added: “The business community is facing an extremely difficult and challenging time right now, so it’s great there is a platform to be able to showcase all of the innovative ways they are coping and ensure businesses can continue to operate.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to support and back Essex businesses.

"This council will play its full part, with more details as soon as we can of our plans for post lock down recovery.”

Get involved in our #BackingEssexBusiness campaign by using the hashtag to shout out a local business which has gone above and beyond, or tell us about the ways your business is coping with the outbreak.

To find out more about eligibility for grants or rates relief, visit colchester.gov.uk/coronavirus.