I am pleased to welcome the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant to Kent. The Government has released more information on the grants available to businesses within the tourism and hospitality sectors. This comes after the Government announced an additional £1 billion hospitality package to help businesses combat the Omicron variant and support businesses over this period, allowing them to build back better.
This fund is available to leisure businesses that provide opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events and days and nights out. The full list of applicable businesses in Kent can be found here https://www.visitkentbusiness.co.uk/covid-19-business-support/funding-financial-support/
The funding will be made available to local councils in January and the scheme will close for applications on 28 February 2022 and all final payments must be made and dispersed to recipients by 31 March 2022.
This is great opportunity for our area to build back better from the effects the new variant has had on businesses.
Business is not out of the woods yet – from the pandemic itself or the post-pandemic recovery. Hospitality and retail have had a particularly tough time, while some online businesses have moved ahead. This new grant ensures that the hospitality and leisure sectors continue to grow, and I look forward to seeing these grants being put to good use for our local businesses.