Businesses (including VCSE organisations) are invited to apply for a new Covid-19 Additional Restrictions Grant Top Up (ARG) – one of three new support schemes to help businesses specifically impacted by the ongoing Omicron variant.
This also includes the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) and Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund.
The government has also provided Manchester City Council with additional funding to pay grants to businesses that have been impacted by the latest Covid-19 variant but are not eligible for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG).
Businesses will need to demonstrate that they have been impacted by the Omicron variant and that this grant will make a tangible difference to the ongoing success of the business.
Manchester City Council will prioritise this grant to match the current OHLG scheme and support those businesses in the Hospitality, Leisure, Culture and Accommodation sectors.
Unfortunately, there are thousands of businesses in the city and as the fund is limited and the eligibility criteria is more focused than previous grants, there will be some businesses that will not get funding through this scheme. As the scheme is limited, businesses are urged to get their application in as soon as possible.
Eligibility
Support will be available to businesses:
- Based and work out of the city of Manchester.
- Who can demonstrate the impact of Omicron (submission of bank statements for December 2019/20 and December 2021/22
- Who have and can demonstrate fixed commercial property costs and overheads by means of lease agreement
Businesses that will be ineligible for the grant are those:
- Whose main service (generating 50% or more of income) is takeaway food and drink
- That were not trading prior to 30 December 2021
- Who cannot evidence fixed commercial property related costs
- That do not have a substantial base in Manchester
- That cannot evidence they have been adversely affected
If you received a previous Additional Restrictions Grant in 2020 or 2021 this does not guarantee that you will be eligible under this scheme.
If you have any queries about the fund, email Gary Lamb, Social and Economic Project Manager at: [email protected]
Deadline: 21 February 2022