BUSINESSES in the hospitality and leisure sectors, which have been hit by covid, will be able to apply for financial help through local councils.

It follows the government announcement in December that some business could apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant which recognises the impact that the Omicron variant had over the Christmas and New Year period.

Worth up to £6,000, it is aimed at businesses which have struggled in what should have been the most profitable time of the year.

The help is for hospitality, leisure or accommodations sectors which provide in-person services, where the main service and activity takes place in fixed rate-paying premises.

The amount of grant is determined by rateable value on December 30.

• Properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under will receive a one-off grant of £2,667

• Properties with a rateable value over £15,000 and less than £51,000 receive £4,000

• Properties with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over get £6,000.

Applying businesses will need to provide details such as their company reference number, VAT registration, unique tax reference etc.

All businesses need to supply their bank details as well as an image of their bank statement or cheque book if this is their first covid grant from the council or if their bank account details have changed.

Eligible sectors are defined as:

Hospitality - Including (but not limited to) pubs, restaurants (excluding takeaways), cafés, etc.

Leisure - Including (but not limited to) tourist attractions, event venues, museums, galleries, theatres, etc. Gyms, personal care, and retail businesses are not included.

Accommodation - Including (but not limited to) holiday parks, hotels, campsites, etc.

Applications for this grant scheme will close on Monday, February 28 in West Devon and South Hams.

South Hams and West Devon councils say all grant payments will be made by March 31 and as soon as possible after a completed application form has been received.

Philip Churm

LDRS