Hospitality businesses on the Shotley peninsula severely impacted by Omicron can now apply for a one-off grant payment through one of two Covid-19 support grants.

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) is open to businesses with a rateable value in hospitality, leisure and accommodation premises who offer in-person services.

The Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) is discretionary grant open to hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses who are excluded from the OHLG scheme, as well as personal care businesses and wholesale businesses who supply over 51% of their goods to the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors.

Businesses applying for the ARG must be able to demonstrate that they have been significantly impacted by the Omicron variant in December 2021 and January 2022. ARG applications will be reviewed by a grant panel with decisions communicated after the closing date and payments being made by the end of March 2022.

The grant allocation for the OHLG ranges between £2,667 - £6,000 depending on the rateable value while the grant allocation for the ARG is up to a maximum of £6,000 depending on turnover and demonstrated impact of Omicron on the business.

Cllr Michael Holt, Babergh cabinet member for economic development, said: "At the end of 2021, businesses in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors were hit hard by the rise in the Omicron variant.

"I would encourage businesses in those sectors to check the grant criteria to see if they can claim a one-off grant through either the Additional Restrictions Grant or the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant."

Businesses eligible for both the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant and the Additional Restrictions Grant must submit an application form via the Babergh website by Friday 18 February.

Further information and application forms can be found by visiting www.babergh.gov.uk