The Welsh Government has defended its hospitality restart grants following criticism last week that they favoured big businesses.

Dwyfor Meirionnyd MS, Mabon ap Gwynfor, criticised the grant and called for greater support for smaller venues.

Mr ap Gwynfor visited the Tu Hwnt i’r Afon Inn on Pen Ll?n, a pub that’s struggled to reopen following numerous lockdowns.

New landlord Cat Beckett, took over from the previous owners just before the pandemic.

Mr ap Gwynfor congratulated Cat “on successfully getting her business ready for the holiday trade this year, despite the lack of support from the Welsh government”.

“Not only does the Twnti Pub employ local people,” he said, “it also supports the local supply chain in Rhydyclafdy and the surrounding areas, which in turn supports other businesses and jobs in the area.

“The Welsh Government’s slapdash approach to supporting the hospitality industry bounce back from the pandemic favours bigger businesses that already have the capacity to employ and retain more staff.

“Smaller businesses, like Cat’s, need better support to survive beyond Covid.”

Cat said: “Getting the business up and running in time for the summer season has been difficult.

“The Business Rates Support grant the Welsh government offered at the start of the pandemic helped us weather the difficult period of jumping from lockdown to lockdown.

“Unfortunately, the current restart grant doesn’t support smaller businesses like mine to get back on our feet, employ more staff, and begin welcoming locals and holiday makers back to our pub.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have made unprecedented levels of funding available to support Welsh businesses of all sizes during what has been a harrowing time for our economy.

“To date, we have provided more than £2.5bn in business support during the pandemic, safeguarding 165,000 Welsh jobs.

“A four employee hospitality business in Wales with a rateable value of £9,000 will have been eligible for at least £21,000 since December 2020.

“The equivalent business in England would receive up to £18,000, including the Restart grant for the same period.

“If Wales had followed the English approach to business support, Welsh businesses would be significantly worse off today. We have committed hundreds of millions more than we have received as Wales’ share of that support to help businesses fighting to survive the pandemic.

“Welsh Ministers have also ensured the 100 per cent rates relief scheme for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will run for the full 12 months of this financial year, unlike in England.

“This measure is backed by £380 million to help provide breathing space for around 70,000 businesses this year.”