FSB Opens Emergency fund for Flooded Businesses

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has opened its £500,000 Disaster Recovery Fund for its members in Scotland, Lancashire and Cumbria and the North East of England, which have been adversely affected by recent heavy rain and flooding.

The FSB is offering interest-free loans of up to £5,000 to help small firms cover costs associated with keeping their business trading and with repair of their premises.

John Wright, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses said:

“The last 18 months have been difficult for FSB members up and down the country, so the last thing otherwise successful FSB members need is unpredictable weather and flooding to damage their prospects. The FSB recognises that to ensure that the long-term damage to the areas affected is mitigated as best it can, all bodies, public and private, need to work together closely and effectively.

“That is why the FSB is stepping in and providing this additional service for its membership in the affected areas.

“We are also asking other institutions which have a bearing on local small firms’ cash-flow – such as banks, local authorities and Regional Development Agencies – to reassure our members that they will be as understanding and flexible as possible.”

Notes

The FSB is the UK’s leading business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk

The FSB’s Disaster Recovery Fund was established in June 2007 when severe flooding across the UK caused many of its members to face severe hardship.

The loans are interest-free for one year and then subject to the Bank of England’s base rate of interest.

The fund was opened to members in the North East of Scotland on November 4, 2009. More information is available at this website

Contact:

North East of Scotland Regional Organiser – Michael Duncan – 01343 860 608 / 07595 284202

West of Scotland Regional Organiser – Stewart Farmer – 01505 864149/07917 628913 stewart.farmer@fsb.org.uk

Lancashire and Cumbria Regional Office Administrator – Teresa Seed – 01772 712033

North East of England Regional Organiser – David Longstaff – 01609 773038 / 07917 628916 david.longstaff@fsb.org.uk

Scottish Media Enquiries -Stuart Mackinnon – 0141 221 0775 / 0791 762 8995 stuart.mackinnon@fsb.org.uk

ISDN Line Available – 0141 229 0253

UK Media Enquiries

Stephen Alambritis: 020 7592 8112 / 07788 422155

Sophie Kummer: 020 7592 8128/ 07917 628998 sophie.kummer@fsb.org.uk

Prue Watson: 020 7592 8121 / 07825 125695 prue.watson@fsb.org.uk