The letters represent the 68 emails Holroyd has sent Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council since August when the government allocated councils Additional Restrictions Grant funding to help support businesses that continue to be impacted by the effects of Covid-19.
"I thought I had burnt up, I actually thought I was done at one point this summer with Strawberry," Holroyd told TTG. "It [having to chase the council] ignited something inside me that I didn’t realise I had."
During the pandemic, Holroyd took a second job with AO.com to help support her income, and now works around 80 hours a week.
Fighting back tears, Holroyd said she "hardly sees" her children, and is only with them on Sundays as during the week she "desperately tries to keep Strawberry alive".
"My kids don’t see me," Holroyd added, "I’m not asking for a lot. I’m just asking to see if I’m eligible for the grant."
In late 2020 and early 2021, Holroyd received discretionary grants to help keep the business afloat, but hasn’t received any further support since then.
She praised Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry for "fighting her corner", albeit to no avail. She also spoke to two councillors face-to-face about the issue when they canvassed her local area, but received no response.
"All I’m requesting is information on how to apply for the grant – I’m not requesting money, I’m literally just trying to find out if I’m eligible," she said.
"I have money in the bank, the business has money in the bank, I can see it through probably to Easter, but if I don’t get some revenue, if I don’t get some departures, and I don’t get some support, I won’t be here this time next year.
"This fight isn’t just for me. It’s for the other travel businesses who find themselves in the same situation. I’m at a stage now where I can’t run out of steam, I have to at least get a response.
"I’m not talking about £900,000 just for my business, I’m asking for £2,000 just to see me through the winter until my departures restart."
A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council said the authority has provided more than 1,900 grants worth £4.4 million in Additional Restrictions Grants funding since November 2020.
"Strawberry Holidays and many other local travel agents are amongst these businesses," they continued.
"We have been in regular contact with Ms Holroyd to explain that the funding for Additional Restriction Grants comes directly from central government.
"Criteria to award grants is set by each individual local authority , using their discretion to direct support to areas that will best help the local economy recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
"Our priority has been on supporting eligible local businesses with fixed property costs, in line with government guidance.
"While unprecedented levels of government funding support have been made available – locally and nationally – it has not been possible to financially support all businesses, nor to support businesses for an unlimited period of time."
