FOR many local people who run businesses across the Winchester district their livelihood has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Winchester City Council has helped many of these businesses survive by providing access to grants and financial support.

Funding awarded by the council as part of the Additional Restrictions Grant to The Brick House Bed and Breakfast and South Downs Sourdough Artisan Bakery School has helped sustain this Cheriton-based business.

Owner Mark Horner said: “We had our income completely curtailed by the first lockdown.

“Our sourdough classes are practical classes that don’t translate well to online classes. It is virtually impossible to offer the same experience, have the same tools or raw materials to hand. When restrictions were lifted last summer we had to reduce the number of bakers from five to six down to just two at a time – meaning our revenue streams were reduced by half.

“This grant fund has allowed us to keep our head above water and we are hopeful that we can once again deliver classes. We are seeing a huge surge in interest, especially as more people have discovered sourdough baking during lockdown.”

Popular with local residents, South Downs Sourdough also attracts visitors from further afield with many guests staying overnight in the B&B, where hospitality is part of the fabric of the beautifully updated Victorian house that started life as a pub.

Mark has also worked hard to ensure his business is certified with “We’re Good To Go”- the official mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow government and industry Covid-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

Another business that was able to benefit from the council’s Additional Restrictions Grant was high street business Pet Pantry. With many shops and businesses closed across the city centre footfall fell dramatically and takings at Pet Pantry were down by 75%.

Lynn Connell, owner of the family-run business said: “Prior to Covid 30% of our takings were from people working in local offices, 50% were from visitors and tourists and 20% from local residents.

“With no footfall to the city our income dramatically reduced. The grant we received from the council has been crucial to our survival as it has helped us to cover our rent during this difficult time.”

The council is continuing its commitment to supporting the local economy and has just launched a new Hardship Fund.

Organisations that can demonstrate the following are invited to apply as soon as possible:

• despite being in receipt for Covid-19 related Government funds either directly or indirectly via grants, reliefs and loans, remain severely impacted and are at risk of closure

• are ineligible for other government grant support

The council is initially making up to £240,000 available to organisations through this Additional Restrictions Hardship Fund. This is a limited fund and payments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit https://www.winchester.gov.uk/business/hardship-fund to find out more.