On 21 December 2021, the Government announced the introduction of a grant to support businesses that offer in-person services, where the main service and activity takes place in a fixed Business Rated premises, within the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors.
The scheme is a one-off grant called the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) which eligible businesses will be required to apply for, and the amount a business receives will depend on the rateable value of the premises as follows:
How much funding will be provided to businesses?
| Rateable Value | Grant (£) |
|---|---|
| £15,000 or less | £2,667 |
| £15,001 – £51,000 | £4,000 |
| £51,001 or more | £6,000 |
Who is eligible?
The grants are available to eligible and trading hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses as defined in the government guidance and who were liable for business rates as at 30 December 2021 and continue to trade. Further details on eligibility can be found at Gov.uk
Hospitality
For the purposes of this scheme, a hospitality business can be defined as a business whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption and sale of food and drink. Therefore food kiosks and businesses whose main service (generating 50% or more of income) is as a takeaway will not qualify.
Hospitality businesses Include:
- Food courts
- Public houses/pub restaurants
- Restaurants
- Roadside restaurants
- Wine bars
- Cafes
Leisure
For the purposes of this scheme, a leisure business can be defined as a business that provides in- person opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events and days and nights out. As per the guidance, eligibility does not include retail businesses, coach operators and tour operators.
Leisure businesses Include:
- Casinos and gambling clubs
- Cinemas
- Museums and art galleries
- Stately homes and historic houses
- Theatres
- Zoos and safari parks
- Wedding venues
- Events venues
- Nightclubs and discotheques
- Arenas
- Concert halls
- Tourist attractions
- Theme parks
- Amusement arcades
- Soft play centres or areas
- Indoor riding centres
- Clubs and institutions
- Village halls and scout huts, cadet hits etc.
Accommodation
For the purposes of this scheme, an accommodation business can be defined as a business whose main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel or other purposes. This therefore excludes private dwellings, education accommodation, residential homes, care homes, residential family centres and beach huts.
An accommodation business is eligible for a grant if they:
- Provide accommodation in business rated premises for ‘away from home’ stays for work or leisure purposes
- Provide accommodation in business rated premises for short-term leisure and holiday purposes
Accommodation businesses include:
- Caravan parks
- Caravan sites and pitches
- Chalet parks
- Coaching inns
- Country house hotels
- Guest houses
- Hostels
- Hotels
- Lodge
- Holiday apartments, cottages or bungalows
- Campsites
- Boarding houses
- Canal boats or other vessels
- B & Bs
- Catered holiday homes
- Holiday homes
Who is not eligible?
- Businesses that are not within the ratings system
- Businesses that are not within the prescribed sectors as defined in the guidance.
- Businesses which have already received grant payments that equal the maximum permitted subsidy allowances
- Businesses that are in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made
How to apply
If you think you are eligible you can make an application online and submit any evidence for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant electronically. Please note that the scheme will close for applications at midnight on 18 March 2022.
Fraud and Error
Neither the Council or Government will accept deliberate manipulation and fraud. Any business caught falsifying their records to obtain a grant will face prosecution and any funding issued will be recovered, as may any grants paid in error. The Government is supporting local councils to make the necessary checks to ensure payments can be verified and have been made correctly.
