Thousands available for businesses in Barrow through new cash grants

back in December, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new Government cash grant for businesses most impacted by the recent Omicron wave, the Omicron Hospitality & Leisure Grant. This new grant is administered by local councils and is now available for local businesses to apply.

This will be a one-off cash grant, available for businesses on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) business ratings list on 30 December 2021, and linked to their rateable value, as set out below:

• Rateable value of £15,000 or less will receive a cash grant of £2,667

• Rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000 will receive a cash grant of £4,000

• Rateable value of £51,000 or more will receive a cash grant of £6,000

Furness MP, Simon Fell said: “The spread of the Omicron variant presents new challenges for our hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors, as people exercised caution during what is usually their busiest part of the year.

“That is why I warmly welcome the £737 million payment to local councils as part of the government’s £1 billion package of support for business, so that South Lakeland District, and Barrow Borough Council can deliver targeted grants worth up to £6,000 each to hospitality and leisure businesses and discretionary funding to other businesses affected by the Omicron surge, in Furness.

BUSINESS: MP Simon Fell

“While this support package will help to cover costs and protect jobs, the best thing we can do to support local businesses in Furness is to continue get the virus under control – which is why I continue to urge everyone to get boosted now.”

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme is aimed at supporting businesses which offer in-person services, where the main service takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises, in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors. This includes, but isn’t limited to: Pubs, Restaurants, Cafes, Wedding and Events Venues, Tourist Attractions, Soft Play centres, Village Halls, Caravan Parks, Guest Houses, B&Bs, and Holiday Houses. Grant applications can now be made online via the SLDC website.

These need to be submitted no later than February 28 at 5pm.

Low Furness Councillor Ben Cooper said: “I’m very pleased that more Government support is being made available to help our local hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses. These industries have been among the worst-hit over the course of the pandemic, so every extra pound really matters. I would urge everyone who’s eligible in Low Furness to get on the SLDC website and get your application in. Millions of Pounds in Grants have already been processed by Council staff over the course of the pandemic, so they’re well-practiced and they’re ready to help.

“As well as Government support, local people have a really important role to play here as well. We need to get out and support our local pubs and hospitality and leisure industry wherever we can. Many of these businesses make up the heart of our communities, so we need to get people through their doors so they can start thriving again”.