Press Release

3 February 2022

Council launches further support for local businesses

Fareham Borough Council has today confirmed details of further grant funding being made available for local businesses affected by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

These new discretionary grants have been made available specifically to those businesses which were not eligible for support through the national Government grant scheme. Eligible businesses will be entitled to between £2,667 and £6,000 and eligible sectors are as follows:

• Hospitality and Leisure - Businesses must offer in-person services from fixed premises where at least 50% of business activity is for the provision of food and drink or for the provision of culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events or other leisure activities.
• Taxi Operator – Businesses must be a holder of a current private hire Operator’s Licence issued by Fareham Borough Council before 30 December 2021. The business must also operate out of a business address in the Borough of Fareham.
• Other Affected Sectors – Businesses must offer in-person services from fixed or mobile premises where at least 50% of business activity is for services such as personal care, travel and tourism, gyms, caterers, events organisers or suppliers to the hospitality, leisure or accommodation sectors.

Businesses applying for these grants must also have been trading by 30 December 2021, employ staff or volunteers and occupy at least one location in the Borough of Fareham. Full eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found on the Council’s website here: http://www.fareham.gov.uk/business/business_rates/grants.aspx

The deadline for applications is 5 March 2022 and any funding which has not been allocated at that time will be transferred to other grant schemes. A further round of grants may also be available for essential and non-essential retail businesses who have struggled as a result of the Omicron variant, if funding is available. Those businesses are encouraged to also apply now as the funds will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Seán Woodward, said: “The latest restrictions brought in because of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 put additional pressure on businesses with unexpected costs and loss of income. These discretionary grants are being offered by the Council to those businesses who were not able to benefit from the national schemes and I urge business owners to review the eligibility criteria and apply for this funding as soon as possible.”

ENDS

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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