Council launches latest support for businesses with over £1 million paid out so far

Grants have been paid out to local businesses as part of the latest initiative to help them recover from the impact of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Since the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant was announced, Warrington Borough Council has been working to create a local scheme that helps businesses in the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors in Warrington. 

The first grant payments grant were made last week, and now over £1 million has already paid out to over 200 local businesses. This equates to around 50% of Warrington businesses who are eligible to receive the grant.

Businesses that haven’t already applied are being encouraged to submit their application soon, as applications for claiming the grant must be submitted by Friday 11 March.

Depending on the level of Rateable Value (RV), the amount of grant money paid can be up to £6,000. Further information about the grant and how to apply can be viewed on the council’s website at warrington.gov.uk/business-support-coronavirus-update.

This grant is the latest in the council’s ongoing efforts to support businesses through the challenges brought by the pandemic, with over £76 million in COVID-19 grants issued to local businesses since 2020.

Cllr Tom Jennings, cabinet member for economic development and innovation, said: “We remain committed to supporting our business community and keeping our local economy moving. This grant continues that work by providing funding to businesses who have experienced a financial loss in recent months. I encourage every eligible business to apply as soon as they can.”

“These vital payments delivered to businesses at such speed continues our track record of being in the top quartile of councils processing grants. I’d like to once again thank the staff in the business grants team for processing these grants so quickly and on top of existing pressures."

The council has also received a small amount of funding to support a discretionary scheme for those businesses who do not pay business rates, but saw a downturn in income as a result of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. This discretionary scheme is being targeted at business in or supplying the hospitality, accommodation and leisure sectors.

The council’s business grants team are directly contacting those likely to qualify, but businesses are encouraged to apply if they believe they are eligible for the scheme. 

As with all the grant schemes, all applications will include pre-payment checks to ensure the payments only go to eligible Warrington businesses. Intelligence is shared with other authorities across the country to identify and prevent any organised attempts that have been made to defraud these important schemes.

For more information about coronavirus in Warrington, including business guidance and support, visit warrington.gov.uk/coronavirus.