One publican told The MA in December that he was pursuing more than £25,000 in Covid grant funding from 15 different local authorities – with one yet to process any payments at all.
Chester-based multiple operator Ian Price – whose portfolio comprises 16 sites across the north of England and Wales – said he was still awaiting £26,335 in Government grants more than seven weeks since his first payment was received in October.
Speaking on 16 December, he told The MA his outstanding sum comprises £12,335 in Local and National Restriction Support Grants – the first payment of which was made on 29 October – and £14,000 worth of wet-led pub bonus, with the first of the two £1,000 payments received thus far landing in his bank account on 3 December.
What’s more, according to data provided by real estate advisor Altus Group, while £12.3bn was allocated across the Small Business Grants Fund (SBGF) and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund (RHLGF) during the first national lockdown, there was a 10% underspend of the total amount committed for the one-off grants worth up to £25,000 – equating to £1.21bn – as of 5 October.
While 960,112 recipients were identified as being eligible for SBGF or RHLGF grants, a total of 53,492 have not received payment according to the Altus Group.
Now, following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a third national lockdown in England and the Chancellor’s provision of grants of up to £9,000 to help businesses weather new restrictions, The MA is looking to hear from pub operators about their experiences of applying for and receiving grants during last year’s lockdowns.
- Fill out The MA’s short Government grants for pubs during the coronavirus pandemic survey here.
Fresh funding pledge
The morning after Boris Johnson, once again, told people in England to stay at home amid the introduction of lockdown measures mirroring those seen in March of last year, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the UK's pubs would be entitled to one-off grants of up to £9,000 as part of a £4.6bn fund to support businesses closed by the latest lockdown.
Pubs across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with a rateable value of up to £15,000 will be able to claim £4,000, those valued between £15,000 and £51,000 will be entitled to £6,000 while businesses with a rateable value of more than £51,000 will be eligible for up to £9,000.
However, it is feared that the latest raft of restrictions may last for several months and be reintroduced next winter if coronavirus persists in the UK.
While England’s third lockdown will be reviewed in the week commencing 15 February, politicians and scientists have signalled restrictions could continue into the spring.
The expiration date of existing coronavirus legislation has been amended to 31 March 2021.
- Fill out The MA’s short Government grants for pubs during the coronavirus pandemic survey here.
