REVIEW boss Sir Ray Tindle is making £250,000 available immediately to help small businesses who find themselves in trouble as a direct result of the foot and mouth crisis.
Family businesses knocked sideways by the disease, and refused help by a bank, can apply to the Review for an immediate interest-free loan.
In cases of extreme hardship this could become an outright grant.
Sir Ray said today: "If any Review readers are very badly affected personally and require immediate assistance to make ends meet I have decided to make money available."
He continued: "The Government is to make substantial sums available to assist farmers in trouble as a result of the current tragic outbreak. Nevertheless, in our circulation area, there will be those small, independent and old-established family businesses – as this newspaper is – who are badly hit on a personal level but are not covered by these Government payouts. And even those who are covered may have an immediate problem which rears its head and brings disaster before official cash can be made available."
Requests should first be made to the Review for approval by the general manager and editor. They will then be immediately passed to Sir Ray.
"No time will be lost in giving a response – the whole point is to help now," he said.
Sir Ray explained he was concerned about the "ripple effect" caused by the foot and mouth crisis.
" There is evidence that it can devastate a range on industries. By giving direct help, by loan or donation, to those in real trouble as a result of this disastrous outbreak I hope we can play our part in limiting the very real crisis in our countryside," said Sir Ray.
Sir Ray, a champion of small businesses, has frequently encouraged others to set up enterprises of their own.
Tindle Enterprise Centres throughout the country offer opportunities for youngsters to set up their own businesses and enjoy a year's low start-up costs as they seek to establish themselves.
•Foot and mouth latest see page 4.