Almost £2 million in funding has been secured to support Liverpool City Region businesses impacted by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The cash injection from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (CA) will fund small and micro businesses not eligible for the UK-wide Omicron Leisure and Hospitality Grant Scheme.
Small and micro businesses across the CA’s six areas will be able to access the funding pot of £1.9m - including entertainment, hospitality and leisure, and travel and tourism.
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Authorities leaders described the Coronavirus pandemic as the biggest challenge faced by the region “since the war.”
The funding comes just days after members of the CA were made aware of the impact of coronavirus on the City Region’s economy.
During the CA’s budget meeting on Friday, councillors were told that overall, the economic value of the City Region’s visitor economy fell from around £5bn in 2019, to just over £2bn in 2020 - a drop of around 58 per cent.
A total of £54m of emergency funding has already been distributed to more than 4,000 businesses across the city region following the move to a tier system in October 2020.
An initial funding tranche of £44m was secured through the UK Government’s Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, with a further £8.1m received as a result of the Trading On programme.
In a joint statement, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Cllr Mike Wharton, Leader, Halton Borough Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader, Knowsley Borough Council, Mayor Joanne Anderson, Liverpool City Council, Cllr Ian Maher, Leader, Sefton Borough Council, Cllr David Baines, Leader, St Helens Borough Council and Cllr Janette Williamson, Leader, Wirral Borough Council, said: “Throughout the past 18 months, we have worked together to project our region from the biggest challenge it has faced since the war.
“That collaboration, creativity and hard work resulted in millions of pounds of support that helped sustain thousands of businesses in all parts of our region through the worst of the pandemic.
The authority leaders said that the CA would begin its recovery from a “much stronger position” as a result of programme such as the £150m Covid Recovery Fund, giving the CA a “headstart” on other areas of the UK.
On the new funding, the councillors added: “We know it won’t go far enough but we are fighting tooth and nail for every penny to support local businesses and retain local jobs. Together, we are making sure that the Liverpool City Region has the fastest and strongest recovery possible, with no one left behind.”
The new, one-off grants will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, with £1,000 available for home-based businesses and £3,000 for businesses with commercial premises.
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