As the eligibility checker for the latest round of Welsh Government funding goes live, Monmouthshire businesses in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors that continue to be severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions are being encouraged to register.
The eligible businesses in the affected sectors (and their supply chains) could receive a payment of between £1,000 and £25,000, depending on their size, structure and circumstances under the latest Economic Resilience Fund round. The emergency package of support will cover the operating costs for July and August 2021 of businesses required to remain closed and who remain severely impacted as a result of the continuation of the restrictions.
“Monmouthshire businesses have been working incredibly hard to try and recover from the impact of the last 15 months,” said Councillor Sara Jones, Deputy Leader of Monmouthshire County ,who has been visiting businesses across Monmouthshire to hear their experiences first-hand . “As we head into the summer holiday season, we must not forget that many who rely on tourists and visitors are still struggling. We will continue to promote all available support and our Business Resilience Forum provides a regular and ongoing opportunity for us to hear directly from businesses about the challenges they are facing and what help they need.
“This latest round of funding is designed to offer much-needed support for businesses in the hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors,” said Cllr. Jones. “This could include travel agents, attractions that have had to limit numbers in order to enable social distancing and venues that would normally receive school visits, for example. I would ask any business that thinks they might be eligible to use the eligibility checker as soon as possible, we want everyone who is eligible to be able to access this support.”
To qualify for support, businesses must show their turnover has reduced by more than 60% compared to the corresponding timeline in 2019 or equivalent. Any businesses that have previously received a coronavirus grant payment will still need to reapply as payments won’t be made automatically.
The first step to applying is to complete the eligibility checker on the Business Wales website. This enables businesses to check their eligibility and the amount of support they are able to apply for, which will help them to start preparing their applications.
Applications from eligible businesses with a turnover above £85,000 are open using the eligibility checker from Tuesday 13th July 2021, with payments being handled by Welsh Government. Meanwhile, eligible businesses with a turnover of less than £85,000 will be able to apply using the eligibility checker from Monday 26th July and these payments will be processed by Monmouthshire County Council.
“In the meantime, we’re continuing to roll out our Shop Local campaign. It features some of the countless incredible independent businesses and offers a sense of why everyone should visit,” added Cllr Jones. “Each business owner has a powerful message about why it matters where we spend our money and is passionate about their town or village. Monmouthshire’s businesses are the livelihoods of local people, and their families, and provide local jobs. Please shop locally whenever possible.”
For more information and for a link to the eligibility checker and for more information about the Business Resilience Forum visit Monmouthshire.gov.uk/business-advice