Guidance

Check if you're eligible for the Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs

The Christmas Support Payment (CSP) supports wet-led pubs that have been severely impacted over the Christmas period due to temporary local restrictions.

This guidance was withdrawn on

The Christmas Support Payment closed to new applications on 28 February 2021. If you haven’t received your payment by 31 March 2021 please contact your local council.

Applies to England

The Christmas Support Payment for wet-led pubs supports pubs that predominantly serve alcohol rather than provide food and have been severely impacted over the festive season due to temporary local restrictions.

Eligible businesses may be entitled to a one-off cash grant of £1,000 from their local council in areas under Tier 2 or Tier 3 local restrictions.

Local councils will use their discretion to identify the right businesses to receive this funding.

Applications for the Christmas Support Payment closed on 28 February 2021.

Eligibility

Your pub may be eligible if you:

  • are based in England
  • derive less than 50% of your sales from food
  • are in an area subject to Tier 2 or Tier 3 local restrictions since 2 December 2020
  • were established in the pub before 1 December 2020

Businesses excluded from the fund

You cannot get funding if your business:

  • has exceeded the permitted subsidy limit
  • is in administration, insolvent or has been struck off the Companies House register

You must notify your local council if your situation changes and you no longer meet the eligibility criteria.

Subsidy control and state aid

Following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, there have been no changes to the conditions of this grant scheme. Your local council will set out the eligibility requirements for the scheme.

We will publish further guidance on subsidy rules in due course.

What you get

Local councils will use their discretion to determine whether businesses meet the eligibility criteria for this grant scheme.

Eligible businesses will be paid a one-off lump sum of £1,000.

How to apply

Visit your local council’s website to find out how to apply.

Published 11 December 2020
Last updated 8 March 2021 + show all updates
  1. Scheme closed to applications as of 28 February 2021.

  2. The deadline for applications for the Christmas Support Payment has been extended to 28 February 2021.

  3. The subsidy control / state aid conditions for this scheme have not changed following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020: more information will be available shortly.

  4. Guidance amended to reflect the UK’s updated state aid agreement with the EU Commission.

  5. First published.