The chancellor has set out a £1bn fund to help businesses hit by the rise in Covid cases, including the leisure and hospitality sector.
Rishi Sunak announced details of the fund, including cash grants of up to £6,000 per premises for each eligible firm.
He said the government would also help certain firms with the cost of sick pay for Covid-related absences.
The chancellor also announced an extra £30m to help theatres and museums.
He said the “generous” new support recognised the situation many hospitality and leisure businesses faced in the run-up to Christmas.
Many hospitality and leisure firms have been hit by a collapse in bookings and reduced footfall as a result of fears over the spread of the Omicron variant.
Some industry figures have welcomed what they described as “unprecedented” support, but others said the measures do not go far enough.
Businesses other than hospitality and leisure can apply for some of the funding.
Emily Gibbon, BID Manager, ‘It sounds like a generous amount, and we shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, but when spread out and distributed to the eligible businesses it will barely cover the overheads. Businesses rely on Christmas and this peak season to break even and get through the quieter months in the new year. We, along with many other BIDs will continue to lobby for support, backed by many parties, including British BIDs, ATCM, The BID Foundation, the British Beer and Pub Association.
