Businesses operating in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors across East Cambridgeshire are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for a one-off Covid-19 grant of up to £6000 before the deadline on 18 March 2022.

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant Scheme (OHLGS), has been made available by Central Government in recognition that the rise of the Omicron variant means some businesses may have been struggling financially.

Pubs, cafés, hotels, B&Bs and village halls are amongst the list of businesses that could be eligible for the scheme which is being administered on behalf of the Government by East Cambridgeshire District Council.

Specifically, the OHLGS aims to support businesses that offer in-person (face-to-face) services, when the main service and activity takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises, in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors.

Grants will be paid per premises and the amounts paid will be based on the rateable value of premises on 30 December 2021, as follows:

• Rateable value of £0-£15,000 - £2667 grant
• Rateable value of £15,001- £51,000 - £4000 grant
• Rateable value of £51,001 + - £6000 grant

Councillor David Brown, Chairman of the Finance and Assets Committee, said: “I would encourage all eligible businesses operating in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors to apply for the grant before the 18 March deadline.

“The package is designed to provide an emergency cash injection for those businesses which have seen their trade plummet largely because of the Omicron variant.

“As a Council we have done everything in our power to support businesses through an incredibly difficult time and this grant scheme is another avenue of help available for some of those sectors that are amongst the hardest hit.”

For the purposes of this scheme:

• Hospitality businesses are defined as those whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption and sale of food and drink
• Leisure businesses are defined as those that provide opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events and days and nights out
• Accommodation businesses are those whose main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel or other purposes

The OHLGS is only available for hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) ratings list.

More information, including eligibility and the application form, can be found on the Council’s website

If you experience any issues when completing the form, or require further help or advice, please email covid19businessgrants@eastcambs.gov.uk or telephone 01353 665555.