Businesses across Elmbridge which have been impacted by the Omicron variant will soon be receiving new government grants.
The government has just delivered £700m in funding to local authorities across England – of which Elmbridge’s share is over £970,000 – to be distributed to firms in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors. This is in recognition of the fact that these businesses have seen a decline in footfall and increased cancellations since the emergence of the Omicron variant.
These businesses will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises, depending on their rateable valuable.
Elmbridge Borough Council is also receiving £375,000 to distribute to local businesses at it sees fit, meaning that the total extra support is over £1.3m.
This is part of a broader package, which includes the reintroduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, which reimburses eligible businesses for the cost of Statutory Sick Pay for Covid-related absences.