The Minister said, “Our hospitality industry has been hugely impacted as a result of Covid Health Regulations and amongst those hardest hit are those traditional pubs only serving alcohol.
“These establishments have been required to remain closed for longer than other businesses and been unable to trade.
“The Wet Pubs Business Support Scheme will provide £10.6m in support to those drink-only public houses forced to remain closed between 4 July and 23 September when the rest of the hospitality sector was permitted to open and trade.
“Roll out of the scheme will now commence during the week beginning the 11 January 2021,” she continued.
Live updates: New coronavirus regulations in Northern Ireland come into force
You must stay at home
New coronavirus restrictions have come into force in Northern Ireland today [Friday].
A stay at home order came into force at midnight and ministers have asked the public to adhere to the new regulations as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country.
The Executive met today to discuss Covid-19 restrictions and the transfer test.
Private firm AQE said early on Tuesday it had decided to cancel its January exams following an Executive decision to close schools for face-to-face teaching.
But that evening, the firm revealed that one test will be held on Saturday, February 27.
10,000 NI businesses to receive lump lockdown payout of up to £9,600 this week Around 10,000 businesses forced to close under the latest lockdown restrictions will receive lump sums of up to £9,600 over the coming days. Picture by Mal McCann. Ryan McAleer 07 January, 2021 01:00
AROUND 10,000 businesses forced to close under covid lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland are due to receive an automatic lump sum of between £4,800 and £9,600 over the coming days.
Hundreds of wet pubs will also soon start receiving additional automatic payments after the Department for the Economy (DfE) confirmed that a separate £10.6 million scheme will start from Monday.
Meanwhile the Department of Finance (DoF) is preparing to issue at least £48m to businesses approved for the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS) this week.
Diane Dodds said the £10.6 million covers the period of July to September when the rest of hospitality was allowed to open (Liam McBurney/PA)
Diane Dodds said: “Our hospitality industry has been hugely impacted as a result of Covid health regulations and amongst those hardest hit are those traditional pubs only serving alcohol.
“These establishments have been required to remain closed for longer than other businesses and been unable to trade.”
Rollout of the scheme will commence during the week beginning January 11, the minister added.
Qualifying wet pubs will be identified by the Department from a list of recipients of the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme provided by Land and Property Services.