Business Newsletter

Business News header

28/01/2022

Business NK Newsletter

ARG Omicron Impact Grant

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

Grant Award

Over £50,000

£4000

Under £50,000

£2000

If after reading the ARG Omicron Impact policy you believe you're eligible please apply here, submitting all relevant information, evidence and annual accounts.


Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

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.


Have your say on this newsletter

Give us your feedback button

We're seeking your views on our Business NK e-newsletters. Can you spare a few moments to answer our survey?

Your feedback will help ensure that we are effectively keeping businesses up to date with the latest news and support. You can complete the survey online here.  


Last chance to register for the Hospitable Boost programme

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.

Free support for North Kesteven businesses

The Council offers the service of a Business Support Adviser, Phil Means. Phil can assist businesses and provide bespoke advice and support.

If you are in business and feel you could benefit from free business advice please contact him. Either call Phil on 07920 472671 or email phil_means@n-kesteven.gov.uk


Discover Lincolnshire weekend

Discover Lincolnshire Weekend (Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March 2022) is a part of Visit England’s annual English Tourism Week. It is a perfect opportunity to showcase your business to residents and visitors. 

The weekend is open to all Lincolnshire attractions, retailers or food and drink establishments. By participating in Discover Lincolnshire
Weekend 2022, you will benefit from increased visitor footfall, online presence and social media activity.

Visitors will have the opportunity to discover what your venue has to offer with the aim of recommending to friends and family for a return
visit in the future. To get involved please email hello@visitlincoln.com with details of what you have planned. 


Launch of Help to Grow Digital

The Help to Grow: Digital scheme to support smaller businesses in adopting digital technologies is now open for applications.

Under the scheme, eligible businesses can receive discounts of up to £5,000 off the retail price of approved digital accounting and CRM software from leading technology suppliers. This software will assist them in effectively managing finances and building customer relationships and help them to scale up.

Businesses can also access practical support and advice on how to choose the right digital technologies to boost their growth and productivity through a new online platform.


Is your business on social media?

If so, join our Business NK group here or follow us on twitter. We share information, support and advice on each platform.


Webinars for the weeks ahead

01/02/2022 11:00-11:40 The New UK Regime for Goods: Understanding marking and labelling

01/02/2022 14:00-15:00 Take Your Social Media To The World: LinkedIn for business professionals

02/02/2022 - 17/02/2022 09:30-16:00 NBV | Starting in Business | Online programme