On 21 December 2021 the government announced Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants for businesses in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors, where social mixing is the primary motivation for their customers.
The main grants will only support these businesses. The borough council has also created a policy for discretionary Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grants, primarily to support businesses in these sectors but who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the main grants. More details are available here.
How to apply
To apply for the OHL Grant you will need:
- your business rates account reference number
- a business bank statement
Applications provided without this information will automatically be rejected.
To check your eligibility & apply please visit: Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants
Applications for the grants close on 18 March 2022.
Eligibility
Only businesses meeting the criteria below qualify for the main OHL grant. The business must be:
- Shown on the business rates list on 30 December 2021
- Actively trading on 30 December 2021
- Not in liquidation, dissolved, struck off or subject to a winding up order
- Within their subsidy allowance limits
In addition they must fall into one of the following categories. Examples of the types of qualifying businesses and those which are excluded are not exhaustive:
Hospitality
– providing a venue for the consumption of food and drink on the premises
Includes:
- Public houses and pub restaurants
- Restaurants
- Wine bars
- Cafes
Excludes:
- Kiosks
- Takeaways
Leisure
– providing a venue for opportunities and experiences, in particular for culture, recreation, celebratory events, days and nights out, betting and gaming and
Includes:
- Cinemas, theatres, museums and art galleries
- Nightclubs
- Tourist attractions, stately homes, zoos and safari parks
- Theme parks, amusement parks and arcades
- Village Halls and scout huts
Excludes:
- All retail businesses
- Gyms and sport businesses
- Coach Tour operators and tour operators
Accommodation
– where the main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel and other purposes
Includes:
- Hotels and B&Bs
- Guest houses
- Caravan parks and campsites
- Holiday homes, self-catering accommodation and apartments*
Excludes:
- Private dwellings
- Beach huts
- Holiday homes not operated as a business*
- Education accommodation
- Residential and care homes
*Owners of holiday homes and self-catering accommodation must demonstrate that their property has generated income as a commercial holiday let business since 1 November 2021 to qualify for the grant
Grant Amount
The grant is based on the rateable value of the property as below:
Rateable value on 30 December 2021: Grant Amount
Up to and including £15,000 £2,667
£15,001 to £50,999 £4,000
£51,000 and above £6,000
Subsidy allowance
This scheme is covered by 3 possible subsidy allowances:
Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance – you’re allowed up to £335,000 (subject to exchange rates) in Small Amounts of Financial Assistance over any rolling period of 3 financial years
COVID-19 Business Grant Allowance – under this allowance you’re allowed up to £1,900,000 across all COVID-19 Business Grant schemes
COVID-19 Business Grant Special Allowance - if you have reached your limits under the Small Amounts of Financial Assistance Allowance and COVID-19 Business Grant Allowance, you may be able to access a further allowance of funding under these scheme rules of up to £10,000,000 across all COVID-19 Business Grant schemes
Grants under these 3 allowances can be combined for a potential total allowance of up to £12,235,000 (subject to exchange rates).
If your business could be subject to the Northern Ireland Protocol, these Allowances may vary under the State aid rules.
You are required to declare you are not breaching the Subsidy allowance rules as part of your application. Businesses should take their own advice on the Subsidy allowance rules.
