On the 21 December, Government announced a further top up allocation to the ARG for Local Authorities to support businesses that were being affected by the rise of the new Omicron virus. In January North Kesteven District Council was awarded a third top up of £174,633.70
Funds are limited in comparison to the number of eligible businesses in North Kesteven and therefore the focus has had to be on support for businesses that were significantly impacted by the Omicron variant in December 2021. Government guidance for the ARG third top up encouraged local authorities to support businesses that have been severely impacted by Plan B restrictions or by the omicron variant including those outside the business rates system.
The Council has determined that this grant should target direct supply chain businesses servicing the hospitality, leisure and travel sector most likely to be affected by additional Plan B restrictions or the Omicron variant. In addition support will be given to gym and dance studios, non-rated hospitality and leisure businesses, as well as those who service the wedding industry.
Eligible businesses will be asked to provide evidence of cancellations, reductions in capacity or staff shortages over the December 2021 period along with actual or estimated loss for this period. For more information on eligibility and to view the policy please refer to the Business NK website.
Please note eligibility will be determined via an assessment of evidence supplied by the applicant that clearly demonstrates the ‘severe impact’ of Plan B restrictions or Omicron on their business income during the month of December 2021.
The grant will open initially for a period of time between today, Friday 28 January to Monday 7 February 2022. Award amounts will be based on annual turnover;
Business Annual Turnover/Income
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Grant Award
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Over £50,000
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£4000
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Under £50,000
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£2000
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If after reading the ARG Omicron Impact policy you believe you're eligible please apply here, submitting all relevant information, evidence and annual accounts.
The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant is still open for applications. The primary principle of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme is to support businesses that offer in-person services, where the main service and activity takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises, in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors. Businesses will need to apply to Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant to receive funding under this scheme, Government have instructed that no automatic payments are to be made through this programme.
The amount businesses will receive is dependent on rateable value, changes to the ratings list after 30 December 2021 will not count towards the grant eligibility. Before applying for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant, please read the guidance.
The scheme will now close for applications on 28 February 2022 and all final payments will be made to recipients by 31 March 2022.
To apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant see here, please ensure that you upload the correct documents requested, failure to do so may result in delayed payment of the grant due to the additional administration required.
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Hospitable Boost is a fully funded support programme running in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland, exclusively for businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector.
This will be a focused programme of support, starting with an initial group session to share your business challenges and learn from latest best practice case-studies, filmed for Hospitable Boost.
With the guidance of your Boost Advisor you can choose your own path of support from a wide range of topics specific to hospitality and tourism, including digital improvements, sustainability, leadership, and marketing to name a few.
The programme concludes with a final group session to share experiences learnt. Onboarding for the programme starts in January, with group sessions and tailored support taking place in February and March. To register for Hospitable Boost please click here.
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