Local Councils Open for Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant Applications

In December 2021, the government announced the introduction of grant support for hospitality and leisure businesses. The scheme provides support to hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses, in recognition that the rise of the Omicron variant means that some businesses are likely to struggle over the coming weeks.

Local councils are now open for applications for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant Scheme.

How to Apply:

How much is it?

  • Businesses occupying premises with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £2,667
  • Businesses occupying premises with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £4,000
  • Businesses occupying premises with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over on 30 December 2021 will receive a payment of £6,000

Eligible Businesses

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.

Hospitality

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

  • Public houses and pub restaurants
  • Restaurants
  • Cafes
  • Food courts
  • Wine bars

Leisure

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

  • Casinos and gambling clubs
  • Cinemas
  • Museums and art galleries
  • Theatres
  • Zoos and safari parks
  • Amusement parks
  • Wedding venues
  • Events venues
  • Night clubs and discotheques
  • Tourist attractions
  • Theme parks
  • Amusement arcades
  • Soft play centres or areas
  • Indoor riding centres
  • Clubs and institutions
  • Village halls, scout huts, cadet huts etc.
  • Certain sports clubs with attached bar/club house facilities (subject to evidence being provided)

Accommodation

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

  • Caravan parks
  • Caravan sites and pitches
  • Campsites
  • Guest houses
  • Hotels
  • Holiday apartments
  • B&Bs

Non-Eligible Businesses

Businesses who are not eligible for this grant scheme, includes:

  • Retail
  • Personal care, including hairdressers, spa, salon and beauty
  • Gyms and other premises used for fitness
  • Dance studios
  • Travel agents
  • Certain sports facilities/clubs who do not have attached bar/club house facilities (for example, a bowling green without a club house)
  • Empty properties
  • Insolvent and dissolved companies
  • Businesses who are not liable for Business Rates

You need to have been liable to pay Business Rates on 30 December 2021 and occupy a hereditament with a rateable value in the local rating list. If, for example, you occupy a shared premises or are not liable for Business Rates yourself then you will not be eligible for a grant payment.

What to do next?

Our expert team is on hand to advise and support you with grant application and approval. Our free consultation is the perfect starting point to get the ball rolling. We mainly provide our services across the North West, including: Accrington, Bamber Bridge, Blackburn, Buckshaw Village, Burnley, Chipping, Chorley, Clitheroe, Darwen, Gisburn, Lancaster, Leyland, Longridge, Lostock Hall, Penwortham, Preston, Ribchester, Skipton, Swinden, Tosside, West Bradford and the surrounding areas.

Get in Touch