GRANTS of up to £6,000 are available to leisure and hospitality businesses in the Dudley borough under the latest support for firms hit by Covid.

Dudley Council will hand out grants over the next few weeks.

It is the latest helping hand for borough businesses after more than £100 million in financial support has been dished out by the council since the start of the pandemic.

Under the latest scheme, which comes as the Omicron variant has sent rates soaring, grants are available to businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

The grants are based on the rateable value of the premises. Businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or less can apply for £2,667 while £4,000 is available to businesses with a rateable value of more than £15,000 but less than £51,000. There are also grants of £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or more.

Councillor Steve Clark, Dudley's cabinet member for finance, said: "This is excellent news for businesses when, I am sure, they need it most. The pandemic continues to hit businesses hard and we are doing anything we can to help them. I urge businesses to get in touch to see how we can help."

To apply for a grant visit the Dudley Business First website dudleybusinessfirst.org.uk and use the business advice section.