More than £150 million worth of support has been given to businesses in Dudley borough by the council during the pandemic, figures have revealed.

Council bosses have hailed the support as an “incredible feat” as Dudley Council continues to support local businesses. Latest figures show 14,000 businesses received more than £97 million in grants since March last year. In addition, since April 2020, the council has wiped £55 million from 1,600 business rates bills.

Council bosses today hailed the figures and said they showed the council had “listened and responded rapidly” to businesses during one of the “toughest years on record”. Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:        

"Growing the economy and creating jobs is one of our top priorities and we have to do all we can to support businesses to be able to do that.

"We have pulled out all of the stops this year, while juggling many other challenges in one of the roughest years on record. That is nothing short of an incredible feat.

"But the work does not stop here, we have to continue supporting businesses to help the local economy bounce back bigger, better and bolder than before. We will certainly be doing that.

Dudley Council has been working around the clock to share funding with as many businesses as possible over the past 18 months. Thousands of people have been heading to the Dudley Business First website for help and advice during the pandemic. Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, added:

"The amount of money we have handed out to businesses since March last year, is incredible, especially at a time when they really needed it. We have listened and we have responded rapidly.

"But we offer businesses so much more than that in terms of help and support and to help them manage their finances at a time when they have been severely hit."

For more information visit dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk.