Update: Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

Jan 13, 2022 | COVID-19, Taxation

Coronavirus

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.