Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, has advocated for dog groomers and kennel owners to be included amongst businesses considered for the Local Restrictions Grants.
According to Government guidance issued in early January, pet care businesses have been required to close and only provide their appointments for extreme welfare cases. This has resulted in considerable loss for the pet grooming industry.
Although such businesses are eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant, which supports businesses that have been required to close, Nus has received correspondence from pet care business owners in Wealden, raising concerns about refused grants and inability to apply. Nus has urged leaders of local authorities in Wealden to look into the issue as a matter of urgency.
Nus Ghani said: “Following correspondence from owners of pet care businesses such as dog groomers and kennel owners from across Wealden, expressing concerns about available support, I have raised the issue with leaders of our local authorities. I appreciate how hard the pet grooming business has been hit and I hope to hear some positive developments on the matter soon. As a member of the Covid Recovery Group, I keep stressing the unintended consequences on lockdowns on Wealden’s economy to the Government and I hope that with such fantastic progress of the vaccine rollout in Wealden and nationally, restrictions can soon be eased and business in Wealden will resume fully.”