Applications for Omicron business grants now open

A grant for leisure and hospitality businesses impacted by the Omicron variant to cover cancellations, reduced footfall and staff absence is now available.

The one-off grants announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak are worth up to £6,000 for eligible businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector.

Eligibility criteria and applications forms are now available through the following link: https://www.darlington.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health/coronavirus/business-support-and-advice-during-coronavirus/local-restrictions-support-grants/omicron-hospitality-and-leisure-grant/ 

Additional discretionary funds will also be made available to local authorities to support other businesses. Once more detailed information has been received from Government, plans will be made as soon as possible to distribute funding.

Councillor Heather Scott, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: “We were very pleased to hear the swift action that is being taken by the Chancellor to support businesses through the uncertainty being caused by the Omicron variant.

“As a council, we have distributed more than £45m in Covid grant support to local businesses throughout the pandemic so far.

“I know our business rates team will work hard to get this new round of grant funding to the businesses that need it as soon as possible. In addition, we will look forward to accessing the local authority discretionary funds so that additional businesses may benefit from this support.”

Eligibility details and links to the application form are available: https://www.darlington.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/public-health/coronavirus/business-support-and-advice-during-coronavirus/local-restrictions-support-grants/omicron-hospitality-and-leisure-grant/

Press release updated on 5 January 2022 as the applications are now live