A PLEA has been made for drinks-led pubs to apply for help funding help as the amount of grant support handed out by Shropshire Council reaches £200,000.

A total of 196 eligible pubs – those who don't serve food, or who make less than 50 per cent of their income from food – have had grants paid out by Shropshire Council under the Christmas Support Payment scheme.

But time is running out for those who have not yet applied or haven't responded to our approval email.

Eligible pubs can claim £1,000 under the scheme to help support them as the coronavirus pandemic continues, but we are aware some pubs who must self-certify have not yet confirmed to receive the pay out, and some may not have applied at all.

The money is waiting for pubs to claim, and we want to help process it as soon as possible before the scheme closes later this month.

To access these funds, businesses must have applied through the Local Restrictions Support Grant and can still do so.

Steve Charmley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for assets, economic growth and regeneration, said: "We are delighted to have handed out almost £200,000 to our eligible pubs, but more money is still available to those who are eligible and have not yet completed their claim.

"We are desperate to help all our businesses as much as we can, so I really would urge those wet-led pubs and those that make less than 50 per cent of their income from food to apply if they have not already done so.

"Shropshire has legions of fantastic pubs and we want to ensure that remains the case going forward."

To apply for grants, visit shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/information-for-businesses-and-the-self-employed/local-restrictions-support-grants