BUSINESS owners can still apply for funding if they have been 'severely impacted' by the coronavirus pandemic.

Phase 4 of the government's Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) is open and businesses who have struggled through the pandemic are encouraged to apply.

To qualify, businesses must be in the Dorset Council area, have been trading before April 11, 2021, have been required to close due to national restrictions that were in place on April 11, 2021, and not have a liability to pay business rates.

A spokesman for Dorset Council said: "Grant funding is available to businesses who are still being severely impacted by the national restrictions and have been unable to claim from the Restart Grant scheme.

"Your business may be eligible if it remained open during national restrictions but has been significantly impacted and suffered a severe loss of income directly as a result of the national restrictions - severe loss is defined as 50 per cent or more, compared to your usual or forecasted income for this time of year.

"All applicants will need to put in a new application for this phase."

This phase closes at 5pm on July 30.

For more information, visit the Dorset Council website