£250,000 fund boost for firms hit by floods

It will be drawn from Calderdale Council’s Economic Fighting Fund and will initially be used to provide short-term help to get businesses back up and running. Longer-term support will also be considered.

Yesterday’s announcement comes as Prince Charles is due in the area tomorrow to visit some of the worst-hit businesses.

Coun Tim Swift, leader of the council said: “While many businesses in the Calder Valley have already reopened, there are some that are in real need of practical and financial help.”

Coun Barry Collins, cabinet member for economy and environment, said it was hoped businesses and organisations would also consider how they could help. “More than 200 businesses in the Calder Valley have been affected by the floods in some way and many of them need our help,” he added.

Over the next few days the council will be working out the details of how businesses can ask for help from the The Recovery Investment for a Stronger Economy (RISE) Fund. Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden were all hit by flooding after the River Calder reached a record high of 3.2 metres at the end of last month.