01 July 2020
July 10 deadline for Aberdeenshire business support grants is fast approaching
North-east businesses are being reminded that the deadline for submitting applications to a range of support funds is rapidly approaching.
There are a number of grants on offer to firms including a fund to support retail, hospitality and leisure sectors and a hardship relief fund for B&Bs and small serviced accommodation suppliers.
However, the closing date for several types of these business support grants is Friday, July 10.
Belinda Miller, Head of Economic Development at Aberdeenshire Council, said: “Our business and finance teams are continuing to work hard to process claims quickly to support North-east firms during this difficult time.
“To-date we have paid out grants totalling more than £40 million to businesses across Aberdeenshire as we all strive to minimise the negative impact on the economy.
“As the July 10 deadline approaches for applications, I would urge any businesses and not-for-profit companies to read the guidance on our website and, if you think you qualify, submit your applications without delay.
“We appreciate that this remains a very difficult time for our business community, but our teams are on hand to help with any queries you may have and to help talk applicants through the process.”
The following support grants are still available for businesses:
Small Business Support Grant (£10,000)
Up to £10,000 is available for those ratepayers of properties which had a rateable value of £18,000 or less and were on March 17, 2020 either in receipt of Small Business Bonus Scheme relief (SBBS), in receipt of Rural Relief, were eligible for SBBS but in receipt of either Nursery Relief, Disabled Relief, Fresh Start Relief or Business Growth Accelerator.
Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Support Grant (£25,000)
Up to £25,000 is available for those ratepayers of properties in these business sectors with a rateable value between £18,001 and £51,000. This is the rateable value as at March 17, 2020 regardless of any later change in rateable value due to an appeal and available only where the ratepayer occupied the premises for that business use on March 17, 2020.
Business Support Fund for Tenants and Occupiers
The grant is available to those businesses who occupy shared office spaces, business incubators, shared industrial units and the like and where the landlord is the ratepayer.
Bed and Breakfast Fund
The purpose of this fund is to provide hardship relief grants of £3,000 to bed and breakfasts and small serviced accommodation providers who have not been able to access support.
The scheme is aimed at ‘small serviced accommodation’, which includes bed and breakfasts and other establishments offering bed and breakfast services for example guest houses, farmhouses, inns, and restaurants with rooms.
Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund
This Scottish Government fund is being administered by local authorities across the country, providing support to those who are recently self-employed, suffering financial hardship and are unable to access other grant support schemes. It is open to those who became self-employed on or after April 6, 2019 and who were actively trading up to March 2020. The self-employed within Aberdeenshire will be required to meet various criteria and it is anticipated successful applicants will receive the funds within 10 days of applying.
For more information and to apply for a business support grant, go to www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/business/business-covid-19