BEIS confirms grants for foodservice equipment supply companies

The foodservice equipment supply chain will be able to claim additional financial support if they have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has confirmed.

The decision follows intensive lobbying from the Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA), supported by other trade associations such as UK Hospitality, which successfully argued that businesses that were heavily linked to the hospitality industry should be given special treatment.

As a result, BEIS has said that businesses that supply the hospitality sector can apply for grants. The Department has said local councils have the freedom to determine the eligibility criteria for the grants, but it expects the funding to help those businesses which – while not legally forced to close – are nonetheless severely impacted by the restrictions.

“We are delighted that the government has finally agreed that the foodservice equipment supply chain needs extra support,” says Steve Hobbs, chair of FEA.

“I’d like to congratulate the FEA team who, despite repeated frustrations, have never let up in their pressure and efforts.”

The FEA is the independent, authoritative voice of the foodservice equipment industry, representing nearly 200 companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering equipment.

To find out more about additional restrictions grants, click here.