Following the Government’s announcement that the Liverpool City Region would be placed into ‘Tier Three’ restrictions as of 14 October, an emergency fund has been launched to protect the Liverpool City Region’s hospitality and leisure businesses.
This new grant will be co-ordinated and administered by the six local authorities that form the Liverpool City Region (i.e. Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral) and aims to enable viable businesses to continue to trade and retain as many jobs as possible.
The Hospitality & Leisure Grant will:
- Support businesses in meeting operational costs
- Make a contribution to staff wages
- Help businesses maintain the necessary COVID secure measures
Who can apply?
The grant is available for businesses in the leisure and hospitality industry whose activities have been significantly affected by COVID-19. Businesses must have either been trading as of 1 October 2020, are continuing to trade or have been forced to close due to tier three restrictions.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, a business must demonstrate that it:
- is a small or micro business in the hospitality and leisure sector and employs one or more employees
- trades its goods or services directly with the general public in the Liverpool City Region and trading activities have been significantly and negatively impacted by COVID-19 restrictions
- occupies commercial premises that have a rateable value within the Liverpool City Region
- was considered a ‘non-essential’ business during the first period of lockdown.
The full list of the criteria can be found here.
Eligible Businesses include the following:
Examples of some of the eligible businesses include:
- Amusements and visitor attractions
- Art Gallery / Museum (privately owned)
- Bars
- Bowling Alleys
- Leisure Centres
- Restaurants
- Theatre / Cinema / Event Spaces
A full list can be found here.
Businesses that are excluded:
A business will be excluded from applying for the grant if, on the date it makes the application it:
- is dissolved or about to be dissolved
- is insolvent or if insolvency action has been instigated against it
- is dormant as of the 1 October 2020, i.e. not trading but not insolvent
- has ceased trading or has closed without being required to do so as part of a Government and local restrictions.
How can I apply?
Applications can only be made online. The application period opens at 10:00am on Friday 16 October 2020 and closes at 5.00pm Friday 30 October 2020.
To make an online application please visit the Liverpool City Council website here.
How much will I get?
Grants will be calculated based on the number of full time equivalent (‘FTE’) people that the business employs together with the rateable value of the commercial property that it occupies.
Successful applicants will receive their first funding payment within 10 days of approval of their application.
Example:
An eligible business that has been ordered to close may receive (subject to the availability of funds) £800 per FTE job sustained by the business. The first payment will be 50% of the grant followed by two monthly grants of 25%. (Grant instalments are subject to evidence of each FTE employed and State Aid compliance).
Further, an eligible business that has been ordered to close may also receive (subject to the availability of funds) a one off payment if the business has a property with a rateable value as follows (whichever is lower):
- £1,300 if the rateable value is £15,000 or less
- £2,000 if the rateable value is between £15,001 and £51,000
- £3,000 if the rateable value is over £50,000
Further information can be obtained in the guidance notes here.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact your usual partner.
