The man behind The High Street Fund is Wellcome Trust Chairman, Sir William Castell. He has rallied big business to donate £3 million, alongside contributions from local authorities and £500,000 from the Mayor.
Emergency grants of around £2,000 will be disbursed from next week to help small high street traders get back on their feet. Applicants must have reported their loss to the police and have a crime reference number. The fund will focus on businesses with fewer than 10 employees.
The fund will also give advice and support to businesses trying to get back on their feet.
Application forms will be available to download from the website or collect from branches of Barclays or Santander banks from this Friday. Claims will be dealt with swiftly but must be submitted by 30 September 2011.
