The Chancellor has announced that businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000.

This follows the news that non-essential shops across the UK will have to close, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson last night (4th Jan).

The cash will be granted on a per-property basis to support businesses through the latest restrictions.

Businesses have been told that they will have to close their doors until at least February half-term, in order to control the spread of the virus.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:

“The new strain of the virus presents us all with a huge challenge – and whilst the vaccine is being rolled out, we have needed to tighten restrictions further.

Throughout the pandemic we’ve taken swift action to protect lives and livelihoods and today we’re announcing a further cash injection to support businesses and jobs until the Spring.

This will help businesses to get through the months ahead – and crucially it will help sustain jobs, so workers can be ready to return when they are able to reopen.”

A further £594 million is being made available to Local Authorities and the Devolved Administrations to support other businesses who are no eligible for grants.