Applications for discretionary grant to support businesses affected by COVID-19 now open

The council has received a further £177,000 of Government funding to distribute on a discretionary basis to businesses that have been severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions or by the Omicron variant. Applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) opened today (Friday 28 January 2022).

This funding from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is in addition to the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Scheme, so any business that is eligible for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Scheme is therefore not eligible for an ARG.

The Phase 4 ARG Top-Up is available to support businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions, or by the Omicron variant, including those outside of the business rates system. Grants will be distributed to all successful applications on an equal basis, regardless of whether the business has already received a grant, or is a new applicant.

Cllr Saunders, Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme has been a lifeline to a number of our local businesses during the ongoing pandemic. It is positive news that we now have additional funding to support a wider range of businesses into recovery.

“All applications will be processed in order of when they are received, and we encourage businesses to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”

The deadline for submitting applications is 5pm on Friday 18 February and payments will be made shortly after this date.

To date, the council has processed 338 approved applications for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant, totalling just under £1 million.

Further information including how to check if your business is eligible is available on our website.