A one-off £1,000 Christmas grant for ‘wet-led pubs’ in Tiers 2 and 3 has been announced to help businesses missing out on Christmas trade.
Pubs that mainly serve alcohol rather than provide food will be eligible for the grant to help make ends meet.
The payment will be a one-off for December and will be paid on top on the existing cash grants for businesses. This will cover those in tiers 2 and 3 forced to reduce their operations as a result of the latest regional measures put in place to contain transmission of the virus.
But the amount has been branded as 'insulting' by Chris Tulloch, managing director of Blind Tiger Inns, a pub operator in the North West.
“How can they say this is support with a straight face?", he said.
With the North West particularly badly hit by local lockdowns in recent months, Mr Tulloch said he is facing total of £4 million in lost turnover for the year.
Mr Tulloch has four pubs in Tier 2 and 14 in the tougher Tier 3, where venues are only allowed to serve takeaway alcohol.
The new money is in addition to the furlough scheme and the business rates holiday which were extended until March 2021.
For more information on support available, outlining all the Government grants and loans in place this winter.
Most Read
Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement on Tuesday - on the eve of the new tier system coming into force across England.
Only Cornwall, Isles of Scilly and Isle of Wight are in Tier 1 where pubs can open but with last orders now called at 10pm.
The plight of the 海角视频's pubs has been highlighted in a new . It revealed the pressure on landlords even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
In making the announcement, Mr Johnson said: "Pubs are at the heart of communities across the country and they have been among the businesses which have suffered the most during the pandemic.
"While we can’t make up for all the trade they will lose over Christmas, I hope this new £1000 grant – on top of the furlough, VAT and business rates relief and existing grants, goes some way to help them weather the economic storm.
"Wet-led pubs in tiers 2 and 3 will be subject to significant measures under the new regional tiered system and it is right for the government to increase its support."
Eligible wet-led pubs across these tiers are invited to apply through their local authority who will be responsible for distributing the grants.
The payment will be made once per business for the month of December only.
Essential guide to the new English tier system this Winter