NI flooding: £100K grant scheme opens for applications

The flooding was so severe in Newry last October that a boat could be paddled up a city centre street

A financial support scheme for businesses affected by severe flooding in Northern Ireland last year has now opened for applications.

The widespread flooding in late October and early November devastated homes and businesses in many areas, including Downpatrick and Newry.

Applications for the enhanced flood support scheme opened at midday on Tuesday.

Financial support of up to £100,000 is now available to impacted business.

The £10m scheme is being administered by local councils and funded by Stormont's Department for the Economy.

A number of businesses were devastated by flooding ahead of the busy Christmas period

Valerie Harte is the chair of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, which was one of the areas severely impacted by the flooding.

She said the financial support "will help us to secure the medium to long-term economic future of our city and towns".

Details of the enhanced flood scheme - which is in addition to an earlier £7,500 grants and rates relief scheme - were announced back in December.

Eamonn Connolly welcomed the opening of the support scheme and says it is vital money gets out as soon as possible

Eamonn Connolly, who heads up Newry's Business Improvement District, welcomed the scheme being opened.

"It is good new news in that we have an announcement and that there is some clarity," he said.

"There are some good elements in it in relation to an appeals process and the inclusion of stock."

Mr Connolly said a fundamental challenge is now how quickly they can now get the money out.

"It is a long time since the end of October and we had an announcement today but we don't have a timeframe on the release of money so it is very difficult for people to plan with that uncertainty," he said.

"There is a hardship fund which is very welcome, at the end of the day this is a dire situation so we welcome recent progress."

He said that some business owners in the city's Sugar Island were very badly impacted by flooding require support and said questions remain over how future flooding can be prevented in the area.

Analysis: How quickly will the scheme pay out?

By BBC News NI south east reporter Cormac Campbell

That this fund has finally opened will be welcomed by impacted businesses.

That it took nearly four months since the flooding has been a source of major stress for all involved.

Indeed the Northern Ireland secretary announced this funding package as far back as early November. Businesses had thought the main tranche would be available from early January. It wasn't.

Time has moved very slowly since then.

For those previously deemed ineligible (due to having insurance etc) the level of support offered will be closely monitored.

There are still many empty premises on Sugar Island in Newry and in the centre of Downpatrick.

Towns need vibrancy and closed premises make things harder for those that are open.

Economy Minister Conor Murphy confirmed last week that the scheme would open to applications.

"This will provide up to £100,000 to flooded small and medium sized businesses in Newry, Downpatrick, Portadown and other affected areas to cover costs associated with the refitting of the flooded premises and the replacement of damaged equipment and stock," Mr Murphy said.

The minister said any business who believes they are eligible should make an application.

A application portal is now open for the enhanced flood scheme on the Newry Mourne and Down council website.

A total of 114 businesses benefited from the initial £7,500 grant.