New round of COVID-19 business grants coming soon

Published: 7 January 2022

On 21 December , the Government announced the introduction of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant for eligible businesses in England, recognising the fact that some  may struggle as a result of the rise of the Omicron Variant.

Almost £700 million will be made available to business ratepaying hospitality, leisure, and accommodation businesses that provide an in-person service including pubs, cinemas, theatres, and hotels. For hospitality, eligible businesses must provide food or drink to be consumed on premises, including outdoors. A full list of business types that may be entitled to an Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant together with further details can be found below this article.

Eligible businesses will be able to apply for grants of up to £6,000 based on their ratable value on 30 December 2021:

• Businesses with a ratable value of £15,000 or under will receive a payment of £2,667.
• Businesses with a ratable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a payment of £4,000.
• Businesses with a ratable value over £51,000 will receive a payment of £6,000.

The grants will be paid by Derby City Council following an application period that aims to open during week commencing 17 January. Applications will then close on Monday 28 February, with grants being paid as soon as possible but no later than 31 March. Details of how to apply will be announced as soon as possible.

A further £102 million of discretionary funding has also been allocated to local authorities, via a top up to the Additional Restrictions Grant, to support businesses in their area who are experiencing a severe impact due to the Omicron Variant.

Businesses that are unable to apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants may be able to apply for the Additional Restrictions Grant. The criteria for this scheme are being developed and we are also awaiting details from Government regarding to the value of our allocation. The distribution of this funding will require new applications to be submitted by eligible businesses and we will advise further details on how to apply as soon as possible.

Following the announcement of this extra funding, a Derby City Council spokesperson said:

As the Omicron Variant continues to spread in Derby, we’re keen to do what we can to help our businesses cope with the challenges it presents and stay open safely.

We are working hard to get systems in place to process applications and begin delivering grants and aim to do this as soon as possible.

For this scheme each sector will be defined as below.

Hospitality: A business whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption and sale of food and drink

• Food courts
• Public houses/pub restaurants
• Restaurants
• Roadside restaurants
• Wine bars
• Cafés

Leisure: A business that provides opportunities, experiences, and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events, days and nights out, betting and gaming

• Casinos and gambling clubs
• Cinemas
• Museums and art galleries
• Stately homes & historic houses
• Theatres
• Zoos & safari parks
• Amusement parks
• Wedding venues
• Events venues
• Night clubs & discotheques
• Arenas
• Concert halls
• Tourist attractions
• Theme parks
• Amusement arcades
• Soft play centres or areas
• Indoor riding centres
• Clubs & institutions
• Village halls & scout huts, cadet huts, etc.

Accommodation: A business whose main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel and other purposes.

• Caravan parks
• Caravan sites and pitches
• Chalet parks
• Coaching inns
• Country house hotels
• Guest houses
• Hostels
• Hotels
• Lodge
• Holiday apartments
• Cottages or bungalows
• Campsites
• Boarding houses
• Canal boats or other vessels
• B&Bs
• Catered holiday homes
• Holiday homes

Business