Ryedale District Council (RDC) has released details about the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant Scheme.

Eligible businesses in the district can now apply to the grant scheme which was announced by the chancellor Rishi Sunak on 21 December.

£1 billion has been assigned in support for businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector that have been negatively impacted on by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

A further £100 million in discretionary funding is to be made available for local authorities to support businesses in other sectors in the coming weeks.

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant Scheme is available to businesses in Ryedale in the leisure and hospitality sectors which are liable to pay non-domestic rates, including those whose bills show 100 per cent relief.

Applications must be made via the council’s website via an online form.

Phillip Spurr, Programme Director of Place and Resources for Ryedale District Council, said: “Businesses across our region are continuing to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the leisure and hospitality sectors in light of the latest Omicron variant.

He said: “Since the start this crisis we have been committed to support businesses and have so far administered the distribution of 7,500 grants to businesses which total £45million.

Mr Spur added: “We are ready to process this latest grant funding as quickly as possible to help eligible businesses through this difficult time and protect jobs in our region.

“I would urge businesses to check if they are eligible and apply.”

Hospitality premises include a business whose main function is to provide a venue for the consumption and sale of food and drink such as public houses, restaurants, wine bars and cafes

Leisure premises are firms provide opportunities, experiences and facilities, in particular for culture, recreation, entertainment, celebratory events, days and nights out, betting and gaming, including cinemas, museums and art galleries, wedding venues, soft play centres or areas and indoor riding centres

Clubs and institutions include village halls and scout huts, cadet huts, while accommodation premises include a business whose main lodging provision is used for holiday and travel.

More information about the grant scheme, including the online application form and details of which types of businesses are eligible for the funding, can be found at https://www.ryedale.gov.uk/covid-19/businesses/omicron-hospitality-and-leisure-grant-scheme/