Blackpool closer to tier 3 support package for businesses

The council hopes to release details in the next few days of the funding measures.

The cash is from a £30m grant allocated to Lancashire as a whole by the Government when Tier 3 came into force on October 17.

Although the amount Blackpool will receive is yet to be finalised, it is expected to be in the region of £5m.

The measures are for businesses forced to close due to pandemic lockdown restrictions, as well as those that have remained open, but suffered serious losses as a result of the downturn in trade.

Many hoteliers saw bookings worth hundreds of pounds cancelled when the restrictions were announced just days before the busy half term period.

The council is continuing to press the Government for further funding after an open letter was sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson setting out the scale of the crisis in Blackpool.

Council leader Coun Lynn Williams said: “The various restrictions that have been in place over the past few months, culminating in the imposition of Tier 3 restrictions on the eve of the October half-term, have had a devastating effect on our tourism and hospitality industry.

“We are now close to securing an initial tranche of funding that will provide desperately-needed support to the sector.

“It won’t fully resolve the challenges ahead and we will continue to lobby ministers to recognise that we are facing a unique set of challenges in Blackpool that threaten to undermine the resort’s future.

“We are determined to use any mechanism we can to help whether that is through grants, loans or signposting to other Government support and business advice.”

Coun Williams added support was crucial to ensure Blackpool has ” a viable tourism product when we get to the other side of these pandemic restrictions.”

The council has also pledged to use its support services to help businesses access the national support measures announced by the Chancellor, including the extension of the Job Support and Self-Employment Income Support Schemes.

To find out more go to www.blackpoolunlimited.com