Scottish businesses who may be entitled to grant support are being urged to apply before the new 10 July deadline. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) who represent thousands of businesses, issued the call as the Scottish Government support fund, administered via local authorities, comes to an end 9 months earlier than first advertised.
Development Manager for the FSB, David Groundwater said:
“Combined the 32 Councils across Scotland have to date received over 98,000 applications and successfully paid over £920 million to Scottish Businesses in the form of business grant support.
“Since the unprecedented package of support valued at £1.2bn was launched, there have been revisions and extensions, with owners of multiple properties now eligible along with businesses which occupy shared premises – such as start-up hubs and indoor markets and more recently B&Bs and other Small Serviced Accommodation businesses.
“Originally, applications were due to close in at the end of March 2021, but with only just over a week left to submit an application, I would encourage any business to review the relevant criteria and apply direct to their local council using the details at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/small-business-support-grant
“Going forward, as the lockdown eases and this package of support comes to an end, FSB continues to make the case for Ministers to investigate how to ensure that businesses that have survived so far, don’t get closed down during the recovery.
“In our recent report Finding our Feet- Scottish Small Businesses and the Coronavirus we specifically call for action and targeted financial support for businesses that have to pull down the shutters again because of virus fears, and for firms that have to make substantial changes to their premises and processes.
“Any rapid, cliff-edge end to critical support could jeopardise the ability of thousands of small local firms to bounce back from the crisis.”
ENDS