We know our local hospitality and leisure businesses were counting on a busy trading period in the run-up to Christmas after what has been a year of ups and downs. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 Omicron variant threw up more challenges, like cancelled bookings, which have hit many of our businesses hard.

At the end of December, the government announced a one-off grant payment for hospitality and leisure businesses including restaurants and pubs. It is worth up to £6,000 and is designed to help those who have struggled in what should have been the most profitable time of the year.

We contacted local businesses directly by email on 6 January, which, based on previous grant applications, might be eligible for this financial help.

If you think you are eligible but have not yet heard from us, please check your junk email folder. If we have not emailed you, you can double check the eligibility criteria below to see if you may be entitled to the grant.

We hope this positive start to 2022 will help our local businesses to push forward and thrive this year.

The Business Grants Team

Eligible businesses must appear on the business rates ratings list on 30 December 2021 in order to qualify.

The Grant is a one-off payment to business rated businesses that fall into the following sectors:

• Hospitality
  • Including (but not limited to) pubs, restaurants (excluding takeaways), cafés, etc.
• Leisure
  • Including (but not limited to) tourist attractions, event venues, museums, galleries, theatres, etc. Gyms, personal care, and retail businesses are not included.
• Accommodation
  • Including (but not limited to) holiday parks, hotels, campsites, etc.

Please contact us via the website page using the links below if you think your business is eligible but:

• You have not previously applied for any COVID-19 business support grants from the Council
• You think the Council may have the wrong contact details for your business (based on previous grant applications)

The deadline for applications to be received is 28 February 2022. This deadline has been set by the Government and the Council is unable to accept any applications after this date.

All grant payments will be made by 31 March 2022 and as soon as possible after a completed application form has been received and all national fraud checks have been completed, in accordance with the Government guidance.