Shell has donated £500,000 to a fund set up to help businesses recover from the riots as the money begins to assist companies in London.
The High Street Fund, created by the London Mayor’s office and a coalition of businesses, now stands at over £4m. It has begun distributing initial emergency funds to businesses in London to help them get back on their feet.
“This huge donation from Shell is a fantastic gesture and one that will go a very long way in helping businesses to get back on their feet. The High Street Fund is already helping small companies to bounce back and I strongly urge any firm that suffered damage or had stock stolen to get online and make a claim”
Mayor of London Boris Johnson
Eye London in Hackney and Furniture Mall in Peckham are two of the businesses to benefit from The High Street Fund so far. The companies have received £2,000 each, but will be eligible to apply for more funding in the future should they require it.
The Mayor of London kick-started the fund last week with a donation of £500,000, while businesses including Barclays, Capital, BT and Lloyds Banking Group have all committed money to the cause.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “This huge donation from Shell is a fantastic gesture and one that will go a very long way in helping businesses to get back on their feet. The High Street Fund is already helping small companies to bounce back and I strongly urge any firm that suffered damage or had stock stolen to get online and make a claim.”
The chairman of The High Street Fund, Sir William Castell, said businesses were now beginning to apply for funding. He said: “Shell has dug deep to support hard-pressed small companies and we are so grateful for its support. Claims from the fund are now coming in and, with Shell’s generosity, we’ll be able to help many more local businesses.”
Along with The High Street Fund, businesses can make applications through other compensation schemes, such as the £20m High Street Support Scheme, which will be distributed by councils.
Shell UK chairman Graham van’t Hoff said: “Shell is glad to be supporting the High Street Fund.
“The riots have had an impact on our staff, customers and many of the communities in which we’re based throughout the UK,” he said.
“It was fantastic to see the incredible response from many members of the public to the clean-up operation. Across the UK many of our staff share their expertise and knowledge through various volunteer initiatives to help improve the communities near our offices.
“We look forward to watching the small businesses and communities most affected by the riots recover quickly as a result of this great initiative.”
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