Further temporary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 came into effect from Friday, 9th October and eligible businesses can now apply for grants from the Coronavirus Restrictions Fund via their local authority.
The Scottish Government have set aside up to £40 million to support employees and businesses impacted by these restrictions as part of their commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): fair work statement.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the business closure fund you must be a hospitality or other business required by law to close (except for takeaway) under these new restrictions.
To be eligible for the discretionary business hardship fund you must be:
- a hospitality business and some gyms, required by the regulations to operate in a restricted way
- a producer/wholesale business based in Scotland supplying primarily short-life goods or produce to hospitality businesses required by the regulations to close or operate in a restricted way and able to evidence a 25% reduction in turnover during the brake period
If your business operates multiple premises you can apply for grants for each premise, applying only once to the local authority in which your business is headquartered. The maximum any one business can receive will be restricted, regardless of the number of premises: the upper limit for the business closure fund is £15,000; the upper limit for business hardship fund is £10,000.
Your businesses must have been open and trading before 9 October.
You must have a business bank account. This is the account your grant will be paid into if your application is successful.
Your business premises must be registered for Non-Domestic rates. Businesses that pay rates through their landlords rather than directly to a Council are eligible to apply (evidence to be provided through copy of lease agreement).
Businesses which have breached wider COVID regulations/requirements prior to local restrictions are not eligible to apply.
Full eligibility details
How to Apply
The Scottish Government are working with local authorities to prepare and finalise all the administrative arrangements required to ensure efficient and effective application, processing, payment and appeal arrangements - and access to the information and advice you may need.
Applications will close on Tuesday, 3rd November at 5pm.
Full application details
Relevant local authority websites:
East Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
West Dunbartonshire
Inverclyde