ACRE has updated their December briefing with details of the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.
Details of the new grant scheme to support the hospitality and leisure sector in England were announced on 31st December 2021, called the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG).
One-off grants are available to businesses and organisations on the rating valuation list (as with previous Hospitality and Leisure Grants). Village halls, scout halls and similar premises are included in the list of eligible leisure businesses/organisations at Annex A of the guidance to local authorities. Local authorities have discretion to make awards to other similar businesses/organisations not listed.
Grants are based on rateable value:
• Businesses/organisations with a rateable value of £15,000 or under on 30 December 2021 will receive £2,667.
• Businesses with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 on 30 December 2021 will receive £4,000.
• Businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or over on 30 December 2021 will receive £6,000.
Sections 22 and 23 of the guidance to local authorities explains that where premises are not used wholly for an eligible purpose an award should be based on the “main service principle”, whichever use forms 50% or more of the overall income. This may affect awards to halls which host a service such as a community shop or Pre-School in a defined
part of the premises. Those with a Social Club selling alcohol should be eligible as the Social Club would fall within the list of eligible hospitality businesses.
Decisions will be at the discretion of local authorities, which are expected to exercise reasonable judgement. All businesses will be required to self-certify that they meet all eligibility criteria and local authorities must verify the evidence provided as part of pre-payment checks.
It is expected that Local Authorities will provide local businesses with grant funding as soon as possible. The application closure date for this scheme is 28 February 2022. Grants cannot be awarded or offers issued after this date.
Further information can be found here.
Coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant
The Additional Restrictions Grant scheme is again available to support businesses and organisations which do not quality for other forms of support such as the Hospitality and Leisure Grant. Church halls, Sports and Social Clubs which do not have a rating valuation of their own may be eligible. Grants are at the discretion of the local authority, to whom any enquiries should be directed. For more information see: Check if you’re eligible for the coronavirus Additional Restrictions Grant here.
