East Staffordshire businesses impacted by the Omicron variant are being encouraged to contact East Staffordshire Borough Council following the announcement of a new grant scheme.
The Government recently announced it is set to introduce a new grant scheme to assist businesses experiencing difficulties as a result of the Omicron variant.
Although the scheme announced on Tuesday 21st December is targeted at leisure and hospitability premises, the Council will introduce a discretionary scheme to support other business types in East Staffordshire.
The Council is waiting for further guidance from Government before it can accept applications for financial support. In the meantime, any business based or operating in East Staffordshire experiencing difficultly because of the Omicron variant, is encouraged to submit an expression of interest to explain how they have been impacted. This could include businesses that supply the leisure and hospitality sector.
Once the Government has confirmed the criteria, the Council will invite eligible businesses to submit a detailed application form.
Councillor Duncan Goodfellow, Leader of the Council, said: “We recognise the impact COVID-19 has had on local businesses and the emergence of the Omicron variant has created additional uncertainties at such an important time.
“Whilst we wait for Government to confirm the criteria for awarding grants, we are encouraging East Staffordshire businesses to submit a form describing how they have been impacted by the Omicron variant to help determine eligibility and to then be contacted once the schemes are operational.”