More local support announced for hospitality and leisure businesses
More local support announced for hospitality and leisure businesses
There is welcome news for some local businesses, with the launch of two new grant support initiatives through Warwick District Council.
From Friday 4 December, qualifying hospitality and leisure businesses which have been mandated to close due to Tier 3 restrictions, can apply for a one-off payment of £2000 through the Additional Restrictions Grant Discretionary Scheme.
In addition, from Monday 14 December, eligible businesses can also claim a grant of up to £1500 (depending on their rateable value) through the Local Restrictions Support Grant Scheme (Closed Businesses) to cover every 14-day period from 2 December for which they have been forced to close. Successful applicants will continue to receive these payments on a fortnightly cycle until the local restrictions are ended.
Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance and Business, Councillor Richard Hales commented;
“Whilst we realise that this support may be a drop in the ocean for the many cafes, restaurants, pubs, attractions, venues and leisure facilities which have been required to remain closed after 2 December, I would urge them to claim the funding available to them.”
The Leader of Warwick District Council, Councillor Andrew Day commented;
“The Council fully understands the importance of the hospitality and leisure sector to the district’s economy, which is why we are pressing the government to lift the Tier 3 restrictions imposed on us at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, we will do everything we can to support these businesses during these extremely difficult times.”
The Chair of Kenilworth Chamber of Trade Sarah Kershaw, commented;
“Having understood the huge disappointment faced by our evening hospitality, pubs, restaurants and cafes, forced to close due to Tier 3 restrictions, we want to thank Warwick District Council for their hard work in identifying local business needs and their efforts to deliver essential assistance efficiently and speedily. I hope these grants will offer some comfort to those businesses and their staff who were so looking forward to welcoming their customers back for the busy Christmas season.”
The Executive Director of Bid Leamington, Stephanie Kerr commented;
“Recognising the impact of Tier 3 on local businesses, BID Leamington has been engaging with Warwick District Council to secure additional support for ‘closed’ businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector. We are therefore very pleased to hear the Additional Restrictions Grant has now been extended, which will go some way to closing the significant financial support gap that these businesses are currently facing.”
The Chair of the Royal Leamington Spa Chamber of Trade, Hayley Key commented;
“Hospitality is a key part of Leamington’s local economy and we are blessed with so many unique independent restaurants, bars and cafes. It’s what makes our town such a special place to visit. December is the busiest month for any hospitality establishment, so enforced closure is a real blow to them. We are therefore delighted that Warwick District Council is supporting them with this extra grant in these hard times.”
The Chair of Warwick Chamber of Trade, Sue Butcher commented;
“The many hospitality venues in Warwick have made a substantial financial outlay and preparations for the Christmas season, which is usually their busiest time of the year. The Tier 3 restrictions will therefore have a detrimental impact on our town. We want to thank the Council for their support and very much hope that the businesses affected will come forward to claim the financial assistance available.”
Further details and eligibility criteria for the all business support grants is available on the Warwick District Council website.
The deadline for applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant Discretionary Scheme is midnight on Monday 21 December.
