THE take-up following the Times offer of £250,000 for interest-free loans to farms and small businesses hit by the crisis is being dealt with as quickly as possible.
Sir Ray Tindle, owner of the Times, telephoned from his Farnham HQ on Friday for an update on the local situation — and is eager for things to be processed as swiftly as possible.
Sir Ray was praised by Rural Task Force member Tim Jones at the crisis meeting in Tavistock on Saturday. He said Sir Ray was the first one to make an offer of help for people in the area.
Applications can be made in confidence to Times general manager Lyn Roberts — e-mail: [email protected]">[email protected]. Tel 01822 613666.
l A West Devon advice agency is urging businesses caught up in the foot and mouth crisis to contact them urgently if they are facing difficulties.
West Devon Business Information Point, an enterprise agency based at Sticklepath, is already being inundated with calls from desperate farmers and now a wider range of businesses.
Jane Sillifant said she and her business counsellors are working through a special foot and mouth support package with callers, in preparation for grant or compensation applications.
'They can use the information to give to banks, building societies, insurance companies. The most important thing is to keep records of exactly how it's affecting them,' said Miss Sillifant. She said a 'huge increase' in calls from tourism-based businesses, pubs and shops was being noticed.
Any business needing help and advice should call West Devon BIP on 0800 592 872, or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected] All help is in confidence.