Businesses in Buckinghamshire are being urged to take advantage of limited time funding to help them bounce back from the impact of December’s Plan B (Omicron) restrictions.
Central Government allocated local authorities a “Boost” to the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding specifically to support businesses impacted by the December 2021 Omicron wave and Plan B restrictions. Initially this support was only on offer to certain sectors in Bucks, but from this week it is offered to any local business that meets the eligibility criteria.
Council Leader, Martin Tett explained: “When the ARG Booster funding was distributed, the amount allocated to our area was limited and so to ensure the best use, we restricted applications to those businesses we believed to be most seriously affected by the impact of the Omicron variant. Since the number of applications we have received for this funding has been lower than expected, we have now opened up our criteria so that businesses from all sectors can now apply.”
The deadline for applications is midnight on 23 February. For more information on how to apply visit our website. Successful applicants will receive £1,500 per business.
Martin continued: “We want to help all our local businesses to recover from what has been a turbulent and unpredictable couple of years. This funding is there to support any eligible business that needs it. I would urge people to come forward and apply because once the money has gone, it’s gone. We want our local economy to emerge successfully from the challenges the pandemic has posed and with our partners we will do all we can to ensure these businesses are fully supported.”
Hospitality and leisure businesses that pay business rates are still encouraged to apply for funding from the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) instead of the ARG booster. OHLG is specifically for leisure and hospitality businesses and pays larger amounts of up to £6,000. Apply online.
