Watford Borough Council has launched three new grant programmes to support businesses that have been most impacted by the economic effects of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The new grants launching today (Friday, January 21) are open to a wide variety of businesses from many different impacted sectors.
The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant supports businesses offering in-person services in the hospitality and leisure sectors, which have been particularly badly hit by the Omicron variant. The business must operate out of a fixed premises and pay business rates. Eligible businesses in this category can receive a grant of up to £6,000.
The Omicron Business Support Grant is intended to support those businesses in Watford which have been severely impacted by the Omicron variant but are not eligible for the Hospitality and Leisure Grant. If a business can demonstrate that they have been negatively impacted by Covid-19, they may be eligible for a grant of up to £3,000 depending on the rateable value or rent payable on their business premises.
Finally, the Omicron Home Business Support Grant supports those businesses who do not operate out of a fixed premises paying business rates. If the business is part of one of the sectors that have been identified to be at risk from Omicron, the business may be eligible for a one-off payment of £500.
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “Watford’s business community has faced numerous trials in the last two years, and I applaud their resilience and fortitude in continuing to grow and serve their community under such adverse conditions. I hope these new grants, in addition to the many support programmes already available, will provide a valuable helping hand to businesses that have been adversely affected by the spread of Omicron.”
To learn more and find out which grant they may be eligible for, business owners can visit http://www.watford.gov.uk/omicronsupportgrants
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