SOUTH LAKELAND DISTRICT COUNCIL

News release

20 January 2022

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR OMICRON BUSINESS GRANTS IS NOW OPEN

The application process is now open for grants to businesses in South Lakeland affected by the Omicron variant of coronavirus.

Hospitality (defined as accommodation, food & beverage services) and leisure premises will benefit from Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants of up to £6,000, administered by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) and aimed at easing the dual impact of staff absences and lower consumer demand.

Recipients of the new one-off Hospitality and Leisure grant must be solvent businesses, and ratepayers in the hospitality and leisure sector. For example, a pub; hotel; restaurant; bar; cinema; tourist attraction or village hall.

Grants are per eligible premises and the amount paid is varied by rateable value (RV) of each eligible premises, in three bands: RV of £0-15,000 (will receive £2,667); RV of £15,000-£51,000 (will receive £4,000); and RV of over £51,000 (will receive £6,000).

Applications close at midday on February 28.

Details about eligibility and a link to the application forms can be found at: https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/business-and-trade/business-support-grants-coronavirus-covid-19-1-april-2021-onwards/

Councillor Robin Ashcroft, SLDC portfolio holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: “Knowledge and good working practices developed through the many business support schemes we have administered since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 meant officers have been able to quickly stand up another effective and efficient application process.

"Supporting businesses in South Lakeland through these tough times is vital and SLDC is committed to doing everything we can to make sure they get through this.

"If you think you might be eligible, please check the criteria and get your application in before the deadline."

More details on this scheme and other support available – including business rate relief, free business support and advice available to businesses in South Lakeland – can also be found at: https://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/business-and-trade/

SLDC is also finalising details for a new discretionary Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) to support other businesses, based on local economic need.

Notes

The following definitions for the purposes of this scheme are as below:

• Hospitality: a business whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption and sale of food and drink;

• Leisure: a business that provides opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events, days and nights out, betting and gaming;

• Accommodation: a business whose main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel and other purposes.

The list below is not exhaustive, but indicative of the types of businesses that can be supported under this scheme.

Hospitality

Food courts, public houses/pub restaurants, restaurants, roadside restaurants, wine bars and cafes.

Leisure

Casinos and gambling clubs, cinemas, museums and art galleries, stately homes & historic houses, theatres, zoos & safari parks, amusement parks, wedding venues, events venues, nightclubs & discotheques, arenas, concert halls, tourist attractions, theme parks, amusement arcades, soft play centres or areas, indoor riding centres, clubs & institutions, village halls & scout huts, cadet huts.

Accommodation

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.

Ends

For more information, please contact the SLDC Communications Team on 01539 793300.