An update on the Omicron Grants

We have now received some more feedback regarding the Omicron grants announced by Rishi on 21^st December 2021. These are primarily aimed at the hospitality sector but keep reading as we have included some news on other sectors.

Hospitality Sector

The Omicron grants appear NOT to be automatic, and applications will be required. 

Here are some links to the relevant authorities:

BCP – https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/News-Features/COVID-19/Employers-and-businesses/Financial-support-for-businesses/Omicron-grant.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0iBWA3XS8n2XXWRiokaAAyc4lf1n2nZnHayYnLepFfsC8UJ8STg7UgPFA

Bristol -  https://www.bristol.gov.uk/business-rates/lrsg-and-arg

Buckinghamshire –  https://account.buckscc.gov.uk/service/Hospitality_Omicron_Grant

Dorset – applications must be made before 1^st February: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/coronavirus-support-for-businesses/omicron-hospitality-and-leisure-grant

Exeter - https://exeter.gov.uk/business/business-support/covid-19-business-support-grants/

New Forest –  https://newforest.gov.uk/financialsupportforbusinesses

West Oxfordshire: –  https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/coronavirus-business-and-licensing/

If we have not attached a link to your area, especially to those in London as there are so many boroughs. But, if you do a Google search for your local authority and then Omicron Grant, you should find the relevant page.

Grants are open now!

Non-hospitality Sector

On the same pages as above for many of the local authorities, are applications for grants for the non-hospitality sector. Each authority has set its own criteria but as an example, for BCP to qualify for a grant, businesses must:

• Be a medium or large business which employs over 20 people
• have been severely financially impacted by the pandemic with a reduction in business income of at least 25% during a period of at least 6 months compared with similar comparable periods of trade
• be able to demonstrate tangible outputs for recovery (capital expenditure is not permitted)
• not have received a Local Restrictions Support Grant or previous Additional Restrictions Grant.

The link for BCP applications is here https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/News-Features/COVID-19/Employers-and-businesses/Financial-support-for-businesses/ARG-Stream-4-Strategic-Businesses-Round-2/Additional-Restrictions-Grant-ARG-Stream-4-Strategic-Businesses-Round-2.aspx

There are deadlines for these applications (24^th January for BCP) so you'll need to be quick and submit the application in on time. Other authorities will have their own deadline dates.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of the team.