NHDC announces new Additional Restriction grant to support the hospitality sector

PR Date: Tuesday, 16 March 2021 - 3:15pm

North Herts District Council (NHDC) has launched a new one-off payment scheme to aid the recovery of businesses in the hospitality sector, specifically pubs, restaurants and cafes, as they prepare to re-open in April.

With hospitality venues permitted to serve food and drink outdoors from 12 April, as set out in the Government’s roadmap, many may need to make adjustments to their premises in order to be able to open their doors again.

Cllr Ian Albert, NHDC’s Executive Member for Finance and IT said: “It is really important that we continue to support the hospitality sector, like pubs and restaurants, through a difficult period when their focus will likely be on staff and stock. They won't necessarily have the spare cash to spend on items they need to help deal with the consequences of initially operating outdoors only.”

“We are all looking forward to seeing our much-loved hospitality venues come alive again. Many pubs are the social centre of their communities. We hope that by making these grants available they will be ready to greet customers again in April.”

Cllr Keith Hoskins, NHDC’s Executive Member for Enterprise and Co-Operative Development, said: "We want to make sure as many businesses across the district as possible get the help they need to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, especially as we head forwards on the Government's roadmap out of lockdown. Please check North Herts District Council’s website for information on all the grants currently available to apply for”.

Freddy and Emily, joint owners of the Half Moon Pub in Hitchin (pictured above) said: “There have been financial struggles for many businesses over the last 12 months. We are incredibly grateful for any financial support and look forward to welcoming customers back to our outside area in April.”

This funding forms part of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), which is available to business rate and non-rate payers. The Closing Date for these applications will be 30 April 2021.

A further round of the ARG also launched last week to cover the period 16 February 2021 to the 31 March 2021, the closing Date for these applications is 5 April 2021. Any businesses who have been previously awarded an Additional Restrictions Grant for the period 5 January to 15 February will automatically be paid a further award and do not need to re-apply.

Businesses can find full eligibility criteria, and how to apply, on the council's website: www.north-herts.gov.uk/business-support