The scheme was announced on 1 December and will close on 29 December 2020. Final applications must be received by local authorities by 31 January 2021.

However, while the Government expects local authorities will provide pubs with the grants as soon as possible, it also stated it will be no later than 28 February 2021 – two months after Christmas.

The grant, which was labelled “meagre” by the trade​, is administered by local authorities and pubs should contact their council to apply for the funding.

It is up to local councils to use their discretion when determining businesses meet the eligibility criteria and eligible firms will be paid a one-off lump sum of £1,000.

Eligibility criteria

The Government stated a pub may be eligible if:

• It is based in England
• Derives less than half (50%) of sales from food
• Have been in a tier two or tier three area since 2 December 2020
• Were established in the pub before 1 December 2020

However, pubs are excluded if:

• You have exceeded the permitted state aid threshold
• Your business is in administration, insolvent or has been struck off the Companies House register

The Christmas Support Payment counts towards the total de minimis state aid allowed over a three-year period of €200,000 (£180,872).