Hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses in the Moorlands who have been affected by Omicron can now apply for one-off grants of up to £6,000.

The grant is for businesses on the Valuation Office Agency ratings list only and recognises that the rise in the Omicron variant means that some businesses are likely to struggle as a result.

The scheme is aimed at supporting businesses that offer in-person services from fixed, rate-paying premises.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is administering the grants and has now opened the process for applications.

Council Leader, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, said: "The ongoing situation with Covid continues to have a big impact on businesses, and particularly those in the hospitality and leisure sector, so this additional support will be very welcome.

"There's more information about the grant on our website where businesses can apply online. I would urge business owners to read this information and, if they are eligible, to apply sooner rather than later so we can start getting this much-needed funding out to our businesses as quickly as we can."

To be eligible businesses must have been trading on 30 December 2021. The deadline for applications is Monday 21 February.

The Council is also offering discretionary grants of up to £5,000 to support businesses taking on a vacant retail property in the District and grants of £300 to £3,000 are currently available to regular market traders and licenced market operators for marketing, help with rent and stall improvements and measure to increase footfall.

Councillor Ralphs added: "We want our high streets to thrive in the Moorlands and that means encouraging and supporting businesses of all varieties and sizes.

"That's why we've developed these grants to encourage businesses to take on retail properties which are currently empty and to support our market traders and operators.

"I hope this additional financial help with be the New Year boost our businesses need to not just survive but continue to grow."

There's more information about all these grants and links to the application forms is available on the district council's website.