Council to distribute extra £500,000 to support local businesses

Milton Keynes Council has secured an extra £541,000 under the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, and will be distributing it to businesses impacted by the Omicron variant.

The funding is open to businesses who are not able to get support under the government's Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant scheme, in particular:

• Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors who are not business ratepayers
• Businesses in retail sector who are excluded from the government scheme, excluding those businesses who have already received additional support under the Council's Winter Retail grant scheme

Labour Councillor Rob Middleton, Cabinet Member for Resources, is set to take a decision on the funding this evening [18/01]:

"Many businesses have suffered immense disruption caused by the rise of the Omicron variant over the past few months, and so this extra money is welcome news. By distributing this funding, we'll be able to make sure Milton Keynes has a fair and prosperous economic recovery from COVID."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Robin Bradburn, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy, Recovery and Renewal, concluded:

"I'm pleased that the Council will be able to distribute this money to the business community here in Milton Keynes. Combined with Council schemes such as our recently announced business support programme, we're making sure our local businesses get the help they need as we start the new year."