BUSINESSES in Cheshire West and Chester required to close following the announcement that the region is now under Tier 4: Stay at Home restrictions, are being urged to apply for support.
The Tier 4 restrictions require a wider range of businesses to close, including:
• Retail defined as “non-essential” - such as clothes shops, homeware stores, car showrooms, electrical shops.
• Personal services - such as hairdressers, beauticians, tattooists.
• Hospitality - such as cafes, restaurants and pubs but can provide a takeaway service.
• Hotels, guest houses, leisure centres, indoor gyms, cinemas, museums and art galleries.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is continuing to support businesses affected by the pandemic through the administration of a number of grant schemes.
More than 3,500 applications for financial assistance have been received from businesses within the borough since Thursday, 5 November, with grants in excess of £5 million being issued.
Moving into Tier 4: Stay At Home restrictions will mean that businesses who are required to close can apply for financial support.
Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Louise Gittins, urged businesses that are affected to find out more.
“The Tier 4 announcement is another blow for businesses in our borough,” said Cllr Gittins. “Our retail, leisure and hospitality sectors have been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic. It is tragic that, just as these businesses were beginning to operate again after the end of the four-week national lockdown, they have to close.
“However, we have been here before and by working together we can get through it again. It is crucial that we tackle this head-on and do all we can to tackle the infection rate.
“The council and its partners are doing all they can to support businesses within our borough. It is important that anyone eligible for support finds out what might be available to help them and their workforce through this difficult time.”
• For more information on Covid support for business, visit the council’s website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
• For a full list of Tier 4 restrictions, visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home
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