Applications are now open for eligible businesses to apply for funding from the December & January Hospitality and Leisure Top-Up funds.
These funds were set-up to provide support to businesses affected firstly by the wave of cancellations caused by the Public Health Scotland and Scot Gov statements regarding Christmas parties and social mixing, then by the physical distancing and capacity limits that came into force from 27 December 2021.
Eligible businesses who have previously received funding via the Strategic Framework Business Fund should already have been contacted by Moray Council to confirm eligibility and payment details for either or both funds.
December and January Business Support Top Up – Hospitality
The December and January Business Support Top Up – Hospitality will provide financial support to businesses in the hospitality sector affected by public health Scotland advice issued pre-Christmas.
In the first instance, local authorities will contact businesses they have previously made payments to through the Strategic Framework Business Fund.
The Hospitality fund offers a one-off payment at the rate of:
- £4,500 for premises which have a rateable value of up to and including £51,000, or
- £6,800 for premises have a rateable value of £51,001 or above
Eligible Business Types
- public houses
- restaurants and cafes
- other licensed premises classed as hospitality
- nightclubs
- hotels with bars and restaurants
January Business Support Top Up – Hospitality and Leisure
The January Business Support Top Up – Hospitality and Leisure Fund will provide financial support to businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors affected by the requirement for physical distancing and capacity limits that came into force from 27 December 2021.
In the first instance, local authorities will contact businesses they have previously made payments to through the Strategic Framework Business Fund.
Eligible Business Types
- public houses
- restaurants
- cafes
- other licensed premises classed as hospitality
- nightclubs
- hotels with bars and restaurants
- conference centres
- music venues
- arts facilities
- sports facilities
- gyms
- leisure centres
- outdoor centres
- cinemas
- amusement and recreation businesses
- bingo
- casinos
- soft play
- snooker clubs
If you are a new business
Businesses set up since 3rd November 2020 or where there has been a change of use will have to apply to the appropriate fund.
New business will be required to provide information which allows local authorities to assess eligibility. The following is the eligibility criteria for those businesses:
- the business must have physical premises
- the business should be the main occupier
- the business owner should be responsible for paying non domestic rates
- the business was trading as an eligible businesses as at 8 December 2021
The local authority will require evidence of how the businesses meets the eligibility criteria. Being registered for non-domestic rates (NDR) will be the main way to do this and the application process will request the unique identifier number for this. The grant is available for businesses with premises registered for
NDR as of 8 December 2021. Local authorities may also ask for details on the business owner/s and evidence of premises being used as a business in one of the eligible businesses such as licensing details. In addition, other details will be required to allow payment to be made such as bank account details and proof of access to this.
Local authorities have discretion to award grants to eligible businesses which lease or rent premises which are not rated, such as those leased from a council in a public park, provided they are satisfied with the validity and eligibility of individual cases.
The business must be actively trading, and be able to demonstrate they were on 8 December 2021. Where necessary, local authorities can request additional evidence to determine this eligibility such as receipts, banking or other evidence.
Provided they meet all the eligibility criteria, businesses which are Limited Companies (including social enterprises), Sole Traders, Trusts, Partnerships, Community Interest Companies or Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations, may apply for a grant.