Cash grants are being made available to Wirral businesses forced to shut down due to Tier 3 restrictions.
On October 14, the Liverpool City Region was put under the tightest set of rules in England, meaning pubs not serving substantial meals, betting shops, casinos and adult gaming centres were made to close their doors.
Originally, gyms were also forced to shut and soft play areas allowed to remain open, but this was reversed last week after an outcry from gym owners.
Nick Whitcombe, whose gym Body Tech Fitness, in Moreton, Wirral, was fined £1,000 for refusing to close when Tier 3 rules came in, was over the moon when the news was announced.
He said: “We’ve saved our sector, not only in the city region, [but] we’ve saved it across the country. Guys we’ve absolutely smashed it.”
The switch means the city region’s rules are now in line with other Tier 3 areas such as Lancashire and Greater Manchester.
But as well as pleasing gym owners, the change has caused huge anger as it meant soft play areas were forced to close.
Responding to the news on Facebook, Kate Whiting said: “How ridiculous. Firstly to wait [until] Friday, secondly soft play areas! That age group has the lowest infection rate!”
Those businesses which are now closed due to Tier 3 restrictions will be entitled to grant support under the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG).
LRSG money will be given for each two-week period of closure, with £667 made available to premises with a rateable value of £15,000 or less, £1,000 given to those with a rateable value over £15,000 and under £51,000, and £1,500 paid to those with a rateable value of greater than £51,000.
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Local businesses will need to set up a MyWirral account to apply for the grant, which they can do here.
An online claim form will be available from Wednesday, October 28, onwards on the Wirral Council website.
