A GRANT has launched to support Oldham businesses hit hard by the Omicron wave.

The Omicron Additional Restrictions Grant, opened by Oldham Council, will help eligible businesses with one-off grants of up to £6,000.

Due to limited funding available, the grants will open in phases to help those sectors most impacted by the virus.

Phases one and two are open now until Friday, February 11.

Businesses in leisure, hospitality and visitor accommodation sectors that operate from commercial premises but are not liable for business rates are eligible to apply.

These include travel agents, coach operators, group travel operators, event companies, wholesalers whose main activity are suppliers to the hospitality sector, caterers and breweries that operate from commercial premises.

If funding is still available, Oldham Council will open phase three applications from February 14 to February 25 for wedding industries, English language schools, personal care and gyms operating from commercial premises.

Phase four applications will then open from February 28 to March 4 for all the above sectors but whose businesses are mobile or home-based if funding is still available.

Here is a list of the available grants:

Businesses operating from commercial premises who are not liable for business rates - one-off grant of £2,667.

Businesses operating from commercial premises liable for business rates – one-off grant of £2,667, £4,000 or £6,000 depending on rateable value.

Mobile or home-based businesses – one-off grant of £1,000.

Cllr Shoab Akhtar, cabinet member for employment and enterprise, said: “The council has received only £305,000 from Government for this scheme, which is why we have put together a phased approach in distributing the grants.

“We’re starting with leisure, hospitality and accommodation businesses who can’t receive the mandatory Omicron Leisure and Hospitality Grant because they aren’t liable for business rates. We’ll also accept applications from other hospitality-related suppliers and certain travel-based businesses, whose sectors have also been hard hit.

“We will confirm if we have enough funding still available to progress to each next phase, and if you think you could be eligible, please apply as soon as possible. Due to the limited funding, we will process grants on a first come, first served basis.

“We will make payments as quickly as possible and are committed to supporting as many businesses as we can.”

More information and a full list of eligible businesses can be found on the Oldham Council website.