Businesses urged to claim new Covid grants for firms in and around Great Yarmouth

The first of two new grant schemes is now live with businesses urged to act quicky to claim the cash support, which is being distributed by Great Yarmouth Borough Council using funds provided by central government.

Many hospitality, leisure, and accommodation business can now claim an Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant of between £2667 and £6000 depending on their main premises' rateable value as at the end of 2021.

Applications for the scheme are open now via the Great Yarmouth Borough Council website, and all applications must be made by midnight on February 14. Subject to eligibility and fraud prevention checks, businesses should receive payments by the end of March.

Businesses in the borough will also soon be able to apply for grants from the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, which offers help to firms most hard hit by the pandemic - especially those that may not be eligible for support through other schemes.

An additional £120,000 is being made available on top of the £2.9m already paid out to businesses in and around Great Yarmouth, and more information about who is eligible and how to apply will be made available on the council's website shortly.

Announcing the additional funding in December, chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak said: "We recognise that the spread of the Omicron variant means businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors are facing huge uncertainty, at a crucial time. So we're stepping in with £1 billion of support, including a new grant scheme, the reintroduction of the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme and further funding released through the Culture Recovery Fund."

Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Carl Smith said: "The council has again acted quickly to put in place as simple a process as we can to get this crucial financial help out to businesses in the borough quickly. Every businesses should check the details of the schemes on our website, even if they think they have not been eligible for help in the past.

"As well as help for businesses, we can also help with financial help and advice for individuals that are finding it tough with extra bills over winter. There is lots of help available through the household support fund, the Norfolk assistance scheme, and the winter support scheme so if you are struggling, please do check our website or get in touch with the council."