THE impact of the rise of Covid cases nationally is having an impact on hospitality and leisure businesses but Wiltshire Council is planning to further grant funding to support businesses in January.

Grants will be automatically paid to those businesses that have previously benefited from a Restart of Discretionary Restart grant.

These additional grants will be paid to eligible businesses through January.

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Leader of Wiltshire Council, Richard Clewer said: “We know how hard it is for restaurants, hotels, pubs and other hospitality and leisure businesses at the moment, and that’s why we are doing all we can to support them.

“Officers are now working hard to process these grants, and we’ll update businesses with more information in the new year – including how new hospitality and leisure businesses can apply.

“In the meantime, we’d ask businesses not to contact us about the grants at this time, as this will delay payments.

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“These grants are being funded through the Government’s Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) funding.

"We have been financially prudent with this funding and we held some back specifically for an issue such as this – and that’s why we’re in a position to support Wiltshire hospitality businesses with these grants at this time.

“We’ll continue to do all we can to support Wiltshire businesses through this difficult time.”