FLINTSHIRE Council is informing businesses that the next phase of the Restrictions Business Fund is now open.

Following the Welsh Government’s announcement of further restrictions effective from December 20 2020, the Restrictions Business Fund is being enhanced to provide ongoing support to businesses to help them survive the economic consequences of the latest measures.

Flintshire Council provided 201 grant awards totalling £717,000 before the Christmas break to support hospitality businesses impacted by the restrictions.

A spokesperson for the council, said: "This week, non-essential retail businesses with a rateable value of up to £51,000 that have been ‘forced to close’ from December 20 and were awarded the recent firebreak lockdown grant in October and November will receive an automatic grant payment of up to £5,000.

"Online applications are now also open for non-essential retail businesses with a rateable value of £51,001 to £150,000 who were ineligible for the ‘Firebreak Lockdown Grant’.

"This means that larger non-essential retail businesses will receive £5,000 in emergency grant support for the first time under the NDR linked schemes."

Tourism and leisure businesses together with supply chain businesses to tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value under £150,000 will also be eligible for this latest round of support of up to £5,000, if they can demonstrate a 40 per cent and above reduction in turnover during the restriction period.

Cllr Ian Roberts, leader of the council, said: "We acknowledge the difficult time many businesses are currently experiencing, especially those in sectors who are directly impacted by the latest restrictions.

"I'm pleased to announce that to supplement the automatic payments we made to support hospitality businesses before Christmas, the scheme is now being extended to provide financial assistance to not only non-essential retail, but also tourism and leisure, and also supply chain businesses to hospitality, leisure and tourism.

"We will make payments to eligible businesses as quickly as possible including making automatic payments to non-essential retail businesses during week commencing January 4."

For further information on all schemes and available application forms, visit flintshire.gov.uk/businessrates.