Last updated: 18 February 2022
This scheme has now closed
In December 2021 the government announced the introduction of a new grant scheme to support businesses in difficulties because of the Omicron variant, and the dual impact of staff absences and lower consumer demand.
All applications must be fully determined by 18 March 2022. If you have not provided a fully completed application by that date you will not be considered for an award.
Please ensure that you provide all the information requested with the online form in order that your application can be assessed by midnight on 18 March.
Pre-payment checks must be carried out on each application before payments can be made. It could take up to ten days after we receive your fully completed application form (with supporting documents) to issue the payment.
Is your business eligible?
Please check that your business is in one of the qualifying sectors before you apply.
Receipt of a previous grant does not guarantee eligibility for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant. Fewer businesses are eligible for a grant under this scheme than was the case under previous schemes.
Gyms and leisure centres
For these purposes, the definition of a leisure business should exclude gyms and sports businesses where physical exercise or training is conducted on an individual basis or group basis. Gyms and leisure centres are not eligible for this grant.
Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant business sectors
The primary objective of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme are 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
|
Support type |
Types of businesses |
|
|
Hospitality – main function of the business is to provide a venue for consumption and sale of food & drink
|
Public houses/pub restaurants Restaurants Roadside restaurants
|
Cafés Wine bars Food courts |
|
Leisure - business provides facilities, opportunities and experiences, for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events, days and nights out, betting and gaming |
Casinos and gambling clubs Museums and art galleries Stately homes & historic houses Zoos & safari parks Night clubs & discotheques Tourist attractions Amusement arcades Soft play centres or areas
|
Cinemas Amusement parks Wedding venues Events venues Arenas Concert halls Theme parks Theatres Clubs & institutions Village halls & scout huts, cadet huts, etc. |
|
Accommodation - business whose main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel and other purposes. |
Caravan parks Chalet parks Guest houses Hotels Holiday apartments, Cottages or bungalows Boarding houses B&Bs Holiday homes
|
Caravan sites and pitches Coaching inns Country house hotels Hostels Lodge Campsites Canal boats or other vessels Catered holiday homes
|
Multi-sector businesses
Businesses will only be eligible where their main service falls within hospitality, leisure or accommodation. If your business operates services that could be considered hospitality or leisure and falls into another category, the main service is the one which constitutes 50% or more of your overall income.
The main service principle will determine whether a business receives funding.
You will need to declare which is your main service. We may request evidence to confirm this.
Grant award amounts
Awards are based on the rateable value on 30th December 2021:
|
Rateable value |
Up to £15k |
Over £15k and under £51k |
£51k and over |
|
Value of grant |
£2667 |
£4000 |
£6000 |
We must obtain and share with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy specific information on all applicants. By completing the application form you acknowledge that your information will be passed on.
The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG)
We are now taking applications for the latest round of the Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme.
As with other rounds of business grants, the Council has chosen to align the latest Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme with government’s general objectives and principles as defined in the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) Scheme.
The ARG is a discretionary grant and the government has made it clear that it is intended to support businesses which are impacted by COVID-19, but which may not be eligible for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant. Funds for this grant are limited and the eligibility criteria will be strictly applied.