A new cash grant scheme of up to £6,000 has now gone to live to help the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors hit by the latest Covid-19 variant.
The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant is part of a £1bn Government package across three separate schemes announced before Christmas.
The grant is available to businesses who were liable to pay business rates on 30 December 2021 and that operate in-person services, on the business premises.
The scheme is open to businesses who pay business rates in the following sectors:
Hospitality
A business whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption and sale of food and drink. Please note that this excludes businesses whose main service (generating 50% or more of income) is takeaway food and drink.
Leisure
A business that provides opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events, days and nights out, betting and gaming.
Accommodation
A business whose main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel and other purpose. Travel agents are not included in this definition.
The grant award will be based on the rateable value of a business premises:
- Rateable value of 15k or under – grants payments of £2,667
- Rateable value over £15k and under £51k – grant payments of £4,000
- Rateable value £51k + – grant payments of £6,000
Eligible businesses can apply even if they have received Covid-19 financial support previously.
Two separate support schemes are also incoming including a new discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) – which will be provided to support businesses based on their need – and a Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF), which will provide business rate relief for businesses that have not been eligible for other support packages.
These schemes will be open later in January – expected to go live from the 19 January.
If your business is struggling and you need support, help is available.
Please contact Manchester’s Business Growth Hub
Their enquiries team are available: 8.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Thursday & 8.30am – 5pm Friday
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
“We know that the Omicron variant has massively impacted businesses through the Christmas season, which is a vital period for many. The hospitality and leisure industries were some of the first to close due to the pandemic and they were also some of the last to reopen.
“We have and continue to make the case to Government for adequate financial support to businesses struggling and have tried in Manchester to offer as much support as we can. Although this grant funding package from the Government will not completely absorb the income losses that the latest variant has caused, we hope this funding will go some way to allaying some pressure that businesses in the city are facing.
“I would urge businesses who think they might be eligible to take a look at our website as soon as possible to apply.
“If your business is not eligible for this one, two further support grants are coming online as soon as possible and there could be support available through those schemes. We understand this is a very stressful time for your business and we will do what we can to help.”
