A number of street and market traders in Penrith and Eden have been left feeling “disheartened and disappointed” after being refused any financial help from the discretionary grant scheme.

Several traders across the east Cumbrian district have confirmed receiving an email last week verifying that they had been turned down getting any support as part of the nationwide scheme.

Eden District Council have set an eligibility criteria that any company has to show costs of £250 per month for a mortgage, rent or bills relating to a wholly commercial property – which excludes street and market traders as well as a whole host of others from home-workers and designated freelancers including a number of beauticians and hairdressers.

Karen Radcliffe runs the Caffeine Rush stall in Penrith’s Market Square situated by the clock tower and is one of those upset and concerned after having her application refused.

The 60-year-old has run her stall and paid rent to the council for 16 years but the struggle of closing with very little support meant she had to get help and support from others including her elderly 90-year-old mum while losing around £6,000 of revenue.

She said: “It’s all a bit soul destroying really and I think its been badly sorted out. I understand the situation B&Bs are in but many including us are not getting the support whether through slipping through the net or the council not wanting to help.

“There is also a lot of confusion, some traders have thought they will get support if they have an indoor stall but that’s still just rent, not a premises with a mortgage and while other businesses have been able to claim up to £10,000 we have been left completely out of pocket.

“It has been really hard, I had to close for seven weeks and when I reopened I had to buy a table, signs, hand gel and other equipment so my customers felt comfortable. I could have got a loan but the last thing I want is debt.

“I know some businesses which have only been open under a year claiming the full support yet I’ve been here for 16 years which doesn’t feel fair.”

Mrs Radcliffe confirmed she received £409 in universal credit and a self-employed grant of £3,500 but that’s only covered some outgoings and she’s had to live on her savings. She was told by a council official they would consider giving her and other street and market traders three-months off paying rent, but only if they didn’t receive anything via the discretionary scheme.

She added: “If we do get any rent-reduction it won’t be for many more months when we should have had that immediately, instead we’ve had to pay by not being able to operate. And since I opened again on the 11th May it is a lot quieter than usual.

“I have worked all my life and you feel just thrown on the scrap heap. There are four daily street traders in the town centre, they should easily be able to afford to give us the bare minimum from the grant scheme of £2,500 to help us get through as it is such a tough time.”

Tim Lorton, of Tattie Tim's (World famous) Baked Potatoes, also based in Penrith’s town centre, stated he is “very disappointed and a bit gutted” about having his application refused.

An Eden District Council spokesman confirmed they are validating applications against eligibility criteria and requesting further information from applicants where required.

He said: “No final decisions have been communicated to applicants at this stage. In line with government guidance, the Discretionary Grant Scheme is required to prioritise businesses which have relatively high ongoing fixed property costs. Eden District Council has set this figure at £250/month, this can be made up from ongoing costs of a mortgage, rent or bills relating a building. If applicants use their domestic property then only a proportion of fixed property costs which relate to the business may be used.

“Eden District Council has been given a limited amount of additional funding to support a large number of businesses and is aware that there will still be businesses which fall through the gaps. Officers will continue to advise businesses about the different schemes available and continue to lobby the government for further funds to support all those affected by Covid-19 crisis.”