West Berkshire Council urges hospitality businesses to apply for a share of its £1.52m Covid grant pot

Hospitality businesses in West Berkshire hit by Omicron are being urged to apply for financial aid from the council.

The scheme has a £1.52m pot in the district to provide a one-off grant payment based on the rateable value of the premises a business occupies.

So far, only 43 businesses have applied.

Eligible businesses with a rateable value under £15k will be entitled to £2,700; a rateable value of between £15k and £51k will receive £4k; and those with a rateable value over £51k will receive £6k.

The council said it had also received an additional £363k for the Additional Restrictions Grants – a grant which it has had in place for more than a year now.

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) Hardship scheme is in place for businesses that may have been affected by Omicron, but that do not qualify for the hospitality grant.

Any business may apply for one-off grant support through this scheme if they can demonstrate that they are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.

The Government will also cover the cost of Statutory Sick Pay for Covid-related absences for small and medium-sized employers across the UK.

Councillor Ross Mackinnon, (Con, Bradfield), West Berkshire's executive member for finance and economic development, said: "This further support for businesses is very welcome. Now that we have the go ahead from Government, we are keen to distribute these grants to support our businesses as soon as possible.

"This is a one off grant and we're encouraging businesses to apply quickly so that they can benefit."