Additional funding has been made available by the government to support Tameside businesses impacted by the Omicron Covid-19 variant and Plan B measures.

In December, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £1 billion package to support businesses most impacted by Omicron across the UK. 

The funding, which is split into three categories, is only available to businesses actively trading in Tameside. Full guidance and eligibility will be published for each scheme.

Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

Businesses in Tameside, on the business rating list, in the leisure, hospitality and accommodation industry can apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant. The deadline for applications is 18 February 2022.

This will be in the form of a one-off grant payment, to eligible businesses dependent on the rateable value of the business premises, see values below:

Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund

This business rates relief scheme will support businesses affected by the pandemic but who are ineligible for existing business rates support.

However, this scheme is not open to businesses currently receiving the Expanded Retail Discount, Nursery Discount or the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme (AGOSS). Those businesses that are currently in receipt of small business rates relief less than £12,000 are not eligible.

Any rate relief granted will reduce the chargeable amount in rates for the financial year 2021/22.

Additional Restrictions Grant Fund

Tameside is receiving a £268,000 share of a national £102 million fund for the re-opening of the Additional Restrictions Grant Fund (ARG).

Applications will be on a first come first served basis, and will require an application form to be filled in to demonstrate a business’s eligibility.

The ARG grant is open to businesses not on the business ratings list, which have been severely impacted by Omicron. This includes domestic-based businesses and taxi drivers, grants awarded will be based on the number of employees and starts at £1,000.

Councillor Oliver Ryan, Tameside Council executive member for Finance and Economic Growth, said: “After another challenging year for our businesses, especially over the festive period, this funding does not go far enough in providing the financial support we are very aware they need. I am very disappointed as this will only support a small percentage of local businesses and they could desperately use a financial boost right now.

“If your business is eligible for any of this funding please apply as soon as possible, as in some cases there is only limited funding available.”

To find out more about the grants and to apply for any of these packages, visit https://www.tameside.gov.uk/Businesses/Business-Support

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