Locked down businesses in Wales who face weeks more of closure will benefit from a £150m fund.
The additional support will help businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and non-essential retail sectors that pay non-domestic rates and will operate as a top up to the Restrictions Business Fund.
Most non-essential retailers will remain closed until April 12 while there is still no set date for hospitality to reopen.
Parts of the tourism sector like self contained accommodation could open from March 27 although the market in England is cut off until at least April 12 due to rules against overnight holiday stays for people living in England.
Funding will see an eligible business with a rateable value of £12,000 or less receive an extra £4,000 grant payment.
Firms with a rateable value of between £12,001 and £500,000 will receive £5,000.
The funding, which will help businesses with their costs up to March 31, will be available to firms regardless of the number of employees and ensures micro businesses benefit from the support.
Local authorities will again be administering and distributing these payments.
Most Read
Businesses that pay non-domestic rates and have already received a payment since the firebreak in October do not need to take action.
However, businesses that have not registered with their local authority, should take action now to ensure they receive the financial support they are entitled to.
Businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors are also eligible for the one year extension to the business rates holiday.
In combination with the Welsh Government’s existing Small Business Rates Relief scheme, they say this ensures that more than 70,000 businesses will continue to pay no rates at all in 2021-22.
Economy Minister Ken Skates said: “Today’s announcement of £150m in additional support is crucial to our continued efforts to help businesses right across Wales through what remains a very challenging period of time.
“As a Government, we have responded at pace to protect Welsh firms and jobs through our package of support which is worth more than £2 billion. In addition, we have also announced we are extending the 100% rates relief package for the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors for a further 12 months.
“As a result of our direct action, we have been able to dedicate more funding to support businesses than we have received from the 海角视频 Government.
Don’t miss
“I also want to thank local authorities once again for their commitment to get funds out to businesses as quickly as possible. Their dedication has been absolutely crucial over this past year in ensuring businesses receive what they are entitled to.
“We will continue to do all that it can to safeguard firms and livelihoods as incredible work and commitment to combat the virus continues across Wales.”