BUSINESSES across Shropshire are set to benefit from a £5.8 million grant scheme to tackle the impact of the latest Covid-19 variant.

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme will be offered to eligible hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses across the county by the end of March.

The fresh round of funding will be launched shortly by Shropshire Council.

Based on Government guidance, fresh applications will be needed by businesses, with the scheme set to open to applicants within the coming days.

A further round of the discretionary grant scheme worth more than £600,000 will also be launched later in the month, but the authority is still awaiting more details from government.

Councillor Ed Potter, deputy leader and portfolio holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Planning, said: "We are delighted to be in a position to support some of the hardest hit businesses with the latest round of government business grants.

"We are once again moving quickly to ensure that hospitality businesses across Shropshire are given the support they need after a tough winter period as we continue to battle Omicron.

" Once the scheme is open we will make everyone aware of who might be eligible and how to apply through our website and social media channels – but it is worth noting that every business will need to make a full, fresh application.

"The discretionary scheme, the fourth to be processed by Shropshire Council will also be of huge benefit to a range of businesses that do not qualify for a Hospitality and Leisure grant, but it should be stated that funding is limited."

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grants will once again be handed out on a tiered system based on your businesses rateable value.

To qualify the business must be trading and on the rating list as of December 30, 2021.

They are:

  • Less or equal to £15,000: £2,667
  • Between £15,001 but less than £51,000: £4,000
  • £51,000 or more: £6,000.

The application form and supporting guidance for applicants will be released through Shropshire Council’s webpages in the coming days.

Applications will need to be made and supporting evidence provided by February 28, with all financial awards handed out by the end of March.

Further details on the discretionary grant including timeline and eligibility criteria will also be released shortly.