COVID-19 business grants

Grant schemes

Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant gives local councils funding to support to hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses with a one-off grant.

The amount of the grant depends on the rateable value of the business premises.

Eligibility

The aim of the grant scheme is to support businesses:

In the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors that offer in-person services and

Where the main service and activity takes place in rated premises

You should not apply for this grant if your business:

does not operate from a property that is rated or
is a retail business or
offers hairdressing, barber or beauty service or
is a gym/sports business where physical exercise or training is conducted on an individual or group basis

Definitions

These are general descriptions. You can read our policy for further details

Hospitality

This is a business whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption of food and drink.

Leisure

This is a business that provides opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events, days and nights out, betting and gaming.

Accomodation

This is a business whose main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel and other purposes.

Award amounts

If on 20 December 2021, your premises had a rateable value:

of exactly £15000 or under, you will receive £2667
over £15000 and less than £51000, you will receive £4000
of exactly £51000 or over, you will receive £6000

How to apply

This scheme was open for applications until 18th March 2022.

Before applying you should make sure that you have the following information available (where applicable):

business rates reference number
charity registration number
company registration number
national insurance number
self assessment/partnership number
unique taxpayer reference
VAT registration number
a copy of your most recent business bank account statement
a copy of your premises lease agreement, rent or mortgage statement

We will be unable to process your application without this information

Apply for Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

Additional Restrictions Grant

The additional restrictions grant gives local councils further funding to support businesses impacted most severely by the Omicron Variant but ineligible for support through the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure scheme.

An initial application window was opened for a 3 week period from 7 February to 28 February 5pm. Eligible businesses will receive a one-off grant of at least £1000. Our small team are currently reviewing the applications and will be in touch as soon as we can. We ask for your patience whilst we complete this work.

A second application window of 1 week has opened from 1 March to midnight 7 March. The amount of available funding is limited we reserve the right to vary the amount and to close the scheme before 7 days has passed. Businesses can only receive one grant and should not reapply in window 2 if an application has already been submitted.

Eligibility

The Council has decided that the businesses who can apply for a grant under this scheme are businesses that have ongoing, fixed property costs, and have been severely impacted by the Omicron variant.

Grants will be prioritised for

Businesses that are predominantly reliant on social indoor mixing (e.g hospitality, leisure, event/event management and accommodation sectors) or
Are businesses in the supply chain for hospitality, leisure, event/event management and accommodation sectors or
Are businesses which are not directly liable for business rates and whose business rates are included within rents (e.g those operating in shared spaces)

Full details of the scheme (not yet updated to reflect changes from 1 March)

You should not apply for this grant if your business:

is eligible for or has received a grant from the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure scheme

Apply for additional restrictions grant

How to apply

This scheme was open for applications until 18 March 2022. We are required by government to complete additional checks before making any payment for this scheme. Payments may be slower as a result.

Before applying you should make sure that you have the following information available (where applicable):

business rates reference number
charity registration number
company registration number
national insurance number
self assessment/partnership number
unique taxpayer reference
VAT registration number
a copy of your most recent business bank account statement which shows business transactions, including payment of rent/mortgage or utility bill
a copy of your premises lease agreement, rent or mortgage statement

We will be unable to process your application without this information

Covid Additional Relief

Further information on the Additional Relief Funding will be made available as soon as possible.

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Business Rate Retail Discount

If you believe you are eligible for this relief and it has not been applied to your bill please complete an application or contact us to have your case reviewed.

Further information about closed grant schemes can be found here.