Omicron hospitality and leisure grants deadline extended

The deadline for Omicron hospitality and leisure grants has been extended till March 11th 2022. The grants are designed to support businesses which have been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme is intended 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.

A wide range of businesses are eligible: from pubs, cafes and restaurants to arcades, tourist attractions and play centres, along with hotels and b’n’bs.

If your business is eligible and you have not yet applied, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/omicrongrants

To qualify, all of the following criteria need to apply:

· Liable for business rates on 30 December 2021.

If your business is not liable for business rates, but the criteria below apply, then you may be eligible for an Additional Restrictions Grant. See the Bury Means Business website for further information.

· Fall within the hospitality, leisure or accommodation sectors.

Further information about what types of businesses are considered to be part of these sectors can be found at Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants eligible business sectors.

If your business is not within one of these sectors, but you supply businesses which are, then you be eligible for help with an Additional Restrictions Grant. See the Bury Means Business website for further information.

· The business was trading on 30 December 2021.

For the purposes of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme, a business is considered to be trading if it is engaged in business activity. This can be interpreted as carrying on a trade or profession, or buying and selling goods or services in order to generate turnover.

Grant payments will depend on the rateable value of the premises. This ranges from £2,667 (if the RV is less than £15k) to £4,000 (if the RV is between £15k and £50k) and £6,000 for businesses with an RV of over £50k.

The closing date for applications is 11 March 2022. For details on how to apply, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/omicrongrants

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “Hundreds of businesses across Bury will be eligible for these grants, and I urge them to apply before the deadline of 11 March. We want everyone to get all the financial help possible to enable them to recover and thrive following the pandemic.”