Business and investment

Plan B measures include:

• wearing a face-covering in most indoor public places and on public transport (but not hospitality settings)
• work from home, if you can
• certain businesses and events will be required by law to check the Covid status of workers and customers using the NHS Covid Pass

For the latest information please www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

There is a range of local services available to support eligible businesses. From starting-up to taking a fresh look, finding premises and growing, we can help.

You can find out more about how your business can benefit from free support services on this page or by contacting us at business@harrogate.gov.uk.

Please keep updated by following us on Twitter and subscribing to our free e-newsletter.

For national guidance on working safely during Covid-19 please visit the government's website

There is a range of existing support available for businesses and individuals:

• Covid-19 financial support for businesses from GOV.UK
• the national recovery loan scheme
• the national statutory sick pay rebate scheme and update from 21 December 2021 public factsheet SSPRS (December 2021)
• free business support services offered by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub
• Covid-19 support for residents in the Harrogate district, including benefits and council tax
• Test and Trace (self-isolation) support payment in the Harrogate district

Covid-19: Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant now open for applications

Applications are now open for eligible businesses to apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG).

The OHLG is to support businesses that offer in-person services, where the main service and activity takes place in business rate-paying premises, such as: pubs, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, guest houses and hotels.

Please read Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme for further guidance on eligibility before applying for this grant.

Eligible businesses will be able to apply for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premise, depending on rateable value:

Rateable value                  Value of grant available
£0-15,000                              £2,667
£15-51,000                             £4,000
Over £51,000                        £6,000

All applications for the OHLG must be made using our online application form.

Apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant

The closing date for all OHLG applications is 12 noon on 14 February 2022.

Government has also announced an Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), to support other businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant. This ARG funding requires local authorities to design and adopt their own local scheme.

We are working on the ARG (phase six) scheme for the Harrogate district, and will have further details by 24 January 2022.

Please keep checking this page and our business e-newsletter for updates on how and when to apply for ARG (phase six).

Covid-19 Additional Relief Funding (CARF)

In March 2021 the government announced new funding for business rate relief for eligible businesses adversely affected by Covid-19 outside of the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

The funding is to be used to support those businesses adversely affected by the pandemic but are ineligible for existing support linked to business rates. The relief available will be in respect of the financial year 2021/22.

Initial government guidance on the CARF was released on 15 December 2021 and requires all local authorities to design and adopt their own local scheme. Please be assured we are working on a CARF scheme for the Harrogate district, however there are no further details currently available. Please keep checking this page and our business e-newsletter for updates.

The UK has left the European Union. The government's website has guidance for businesses on trading with the EU.