Omicron Hospitality Payment fund applications delayed

Omicron Hospitality Payment fund applications delayed

The application process for the £40m Omicron Hospitality Payment fund has been delayed, it has been revealed.

More than 3,000 eligible hospitality operators were told they would be contacted this week to start the process but the Department of Finance said it has now been pushed back.

A spokesperson told the BBC: “Financial regulations are currently being finalised to enable the Omicron Hospitality Payment to be made.

“Land and Property Services will contact eligible businesses directly next week (week commencing 17 January) to ask them to confirm their details to enable the Omicron Hospitality Payment to be made.

“Payments will be issued as quickly as possible once businesses have submitted the necessary information.”

The one-off grants were introduced to help those who experienced losses in the run-up to Christmas due to Covid restrictions, with nightclubs which have been closed since December 26th also eligible.

More than 3,200 businesses are eligible under the Omicron Hospitality Payment, with payments ranging from £10,000up to £20,000, depending in its rateable value.

Land and Property Services will contact those who received support from the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS) directly, while those who did bot will have the opportunity to apply through an application portal.