Recovery Loan Scheme

A new loan scheme to support access to finance for UK business as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Recovery Loan Scheme ensures businesses of any size can continue to access loans and other kinds of finance up to £10 million per business once the existing COVID-19 loan schemes close, providing support as businesses recover and grow following the disruption of the pandemic and the end of the transition period. Once received, the finance can be used for any legitimate business purpose, including growth and investment. The government guarantees 80% of the finance to the lender to ensure they continue to have the confidence […]

Additional funding for Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism businesses

The Welsh Government has today announced a further £30 million for hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses affected by ongoing coronavirus restrictions.It has also confirmed that pending the outcome of the next review on 12 March, a further £150 million in grants could be made available to firms, including micro businesses, through the Welsh Government’s Non Domestic Rates (NDR) scheme if coronavirus restrictions are extended. https://gov.wales/additional-funding-hospitality-leisure-and-tourism-businesses

Approved Licensed Premises – Use of wedding venues – clarification

From March 1st 2021 venues that are “approved premises” for hosting a marriage or civil partnership ceremony may be open, but only for that purpose (or for an alternative marriage ceremony such as a humanist wedding). Those attending the ceremony also have a reasonable excuse to leave home for that purpose. Couples who have a wedding or civil partnership ceremony already arranged may also visit the venue in advance, if necessary, to plan the ceremony. However, at this stage this does not mean that venues may open on a speculative basis by allowing “show-arounds” for those who may wish to have a ceremony at the venue. This is likely to […]

Queries regarding accepting bookings for the Easter period, in self-contained holiday accommodation

Visit Wales have advised that any bookings that fall beyond the 21 day review period – next review 12 March – are at that business’s and the customer’s own risk. No bookings can be taken ahead of 12 March. The final decision on reopening will depend on the public health position at that time and therefore WG cannot give any guarantees that self-contained accommodation will be allowed to open and what travel and household rules will apply. Accommodation Operators are therefore reminded that any bookings that fall beyond the current 21 day review period (which ends on 12 March) are at that business and the customer’s own risk.  No bookings […]

Conwy NDR and Discretionary Grants – UPDATE

The Extended Restrictions Business Fund non Domestic Rates and Discretionary grants, which temporarily closed for Conwy County Businesses on Tuesday 16th February will re-open for applications at 12pm Monday 22nd. This fund covers the extended period of restrictions announced on the 29th January. If you have already applied to the scheme or received an automatic payment (NDR grant only) do not reapply. If you have not already received a payment or applied to this fund when the scheme re-opens you will be able to apply Please note There are no automatic payments being made through the discretionary fund all eligible businesses will need to submit an applicationIf your business is […]

WG Briefing – 19/02/21

Beyond Next 3 weeks – If cases of coronavirus continues to fall and improvements to the Public Health in Wales this is what is being considered in the next review period on the 8th of March: Return to school will be main priority with the aim of getting primary aged school children and some older students, returning to schools and colleges from 15th MarchLook at lifting the stay at home messageChanges to non-essential shops and hairdressers Talks are also taking place about reopening tourism in time for Easter, looking at prioritising self contained accommodation.