We recently wrote about the new Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG), as announced by the Chancellor on 21 December 2021. (See our previous blog here)
The government has now provided further guidance on criteria, eligibility and how to apply for the grant.
Who is eligible?
The new one-off grant is for business who offer in-person services, and where the main service and activity takes place in a fixed rate-paying premises in the hospitality, leisure, and accommodation sectors. It does not include businesses trading in the retail and personal services sectors.
As defined by the government (and some exclusions do apply);
– a hospitality business is one whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption of food and drink, for example, public houses, cafes and restaurants;
– a leisure business provides opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular, for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events and days and nights out, such as, amusement arcades, theatres, soft play centres and wedding venues;
– an accommodation business is a business whose main lodging provision is used for holiday, travel and other purposes, such as, caravan parks, hotels and holiday lettings.
The government have set out a more extensive list below, although this is still not exhaustive and they advise local authorities to use their knowledge and the aforementioned government definitions, to determine eligibility.
Support type | Types of businesses | |
Hospitality | Food courts
Public houses/pub restaurants Restaurants |
Roadside restaurants
Wine bars Cafés |
Leisure | Casinos and gambling clubs
Cinemas Museums and art galleries Stately homes & historic houses Theatres Zoos & safari parks Amusement parks Wedding venues Events venues Night clubs & discotheques |
Arenas
Concert halls Tourist attractions Theme parks Amusement arcades Soft play centres or areas Clubs & institutions Village halls & scout huts, cadet huts, etc.
|
Accommodation | Caravan parks
Caravan sites and pitches Chalet parks Coaching inns Country house hotels Guest houses Hostels Hotels Lodge Holiday apartments, |
Cottages or bungalows
Campsites Boarding houses Canal boats or other vessels B&Bs Catered holiday homes Holiday homes
|
Source: GOV.UK – Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant Guidance for Local Authorities – Annex A
Other criteria
Certain criteria must also be met in order to receive the funding. The businesses must:
- be on the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) ratings list,
- have been trading on 30 December 2021, i.e. the business must not be in liquidation, dissolved, struck off or subject to a striking-off notice or under notice.
- not exceed the permitted subsidy allowance (further information available here)
How much can my business receive?
The amount paid will be based on the rateable value of business premises as set out below:
Rateable value of business premises | One-off grant amount |
Up to £15,000 | £2,667 |
Over £15,00 and less than £51,000 | £4,000 |
More than £51,000 | £6,000 |
How do I apply?
Applications must be made to your local authority, by 28 February 2021 and grant payments will be made no later than 31 March 2022.
Find your local authority on GOV.UK.
A final point to note is that the grants are subject to tax and will need to be declared by businesses in their tax returns.
How can we help?
If you would like help navigating the support you can access, contact your usual relationship practitioner, email intouch@haroldsharp.co.uk or call us on 0161 905 1616.