Omicron grants extended to hair and beauty salons and gyms

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Hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons and gyms can apply for Omicron grant funding

Personal care sector businesses in the Rochdale borough can now apply for Omicron grant funding.  

The pandemic has had a detrimental effect on a huge number of hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses and the government have created a support package to help those who are struggling.  

Previously only those in the hospitality, leisure, travel and accommodation sectors could apply for the one-off grant, but that has now been extended to those in the personal care sector, including hair and beauty salons and gyms. 

The latest wave of funding opened on Monday (7 February) and businesses who are eligible can apply for:  

• Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant: this grant is for hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses who have a rateable value and are likely to struggle.
   
• Omicron Additional Restrictions Grant: this grant is for businesses who can evidence a negative impact due to the rise of the Omicron variant, and who operate from commercial premises.
   
• Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF): this relief was announced in December 2021. It's a one-off business rate relief for the financial year 2021-22, which is aimed at some of the businesses whose finances have been impacted by Covid-19. 

Any application must be able to show that the rise of the Omicron variant had a negative impact on the business and must have ongoing business costs (minimum £500 per annum) to be eligible. 

Applications approved under these conditions will receive an amount based on the rateable value of the business premises:

• £15,000 and below (£2,667)
• £15,001 - £50,999 (£4,000)
• £51,000 and above (£6,000)
• If you do not operate from commercial premises a fixed payment of £1000 will be made.

All payments are one-off; amounts are not negotiable and the council's decision is final.

Grant income received by a business is taxable. You'll need to include the Omicron Additional Restrictions Grant as income in the tax return of your business.

The closing date for applications is Friday 25 February 2022. 

For more information on which businesses are eligible and how to apply to Rochdale Council, please visit:

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/business-and-industry/business-advice-and-support/Pages/business-grants-and-loans.aspx