A significant top-up to the grant support available for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses across Scotland closed by level 4 restrictions was announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes MSP.
In addition to grants businesses receive through the Strategic Business Framework Fund, eligible businesses will also receive a one-off grant of:
£25,000 for larger hospitality businesses on top of the 4-weekly £3,000
£6,000 for smaller hospitality businesses on top of the 4-weekly £2,000
£9,000 for larger retail and leisure businesses on top of the 4-weekly £3,000
£6,000 for smaller retail and leisure businesses on top of the 4-weekly £2,000
In most cases, eligible businesses that have already applied for the 4-weekly payment from the Strategic Framework Business Fund will get an automatic top-up. For the majority, this top-up will be combined with the next tranche of payment for the Strategic Framework Business Fund due to go to businesses on Monday 25 January. Businesses that haven’t yet applied for either of these funds should submit an application as soon as possible through their local authority website. Applications are now open. Ms Forbes said: “Since the start of the pandemic Scottish Government support for business and the economy has reached almost £3 billion - more than a third of our total coronavirus (COVID-19) funding, demonstrating our commitment to provide as much help as we possibly can to our businesses. “As promised, this additional support for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses will be available this month, in some cases doubling or tripling the amount of support we are providing. Applications are open now and payment will be made this month. “Crucially this essential funding will also help to close the gaps in UK wide support for these impacted sectors and our one-off support for larger hospitality premises of £25,000 is considerably more generous than the £9,000 grant on offer in England.” Kenneth Gibson MSP added: “I welcome this funding and encourage all eligible businesses in North Ayrshire to apply through North Ayrshire Council if they have not done so already. “Of course, this support can never compensate for the full impact on business, but the Scottish Government has to work within the resources that are available to it and continues to respond to the evolving economic challenges arising from the pandemic.”
Larger hospitality businesses are those with a rateable value of £51,001 or more
Smaller hospitality businesses are those with a rateable value of £51,000 or less
Larger retail and leisure businesses are those with a rateable value of £51,001
Smaller retail and leisure businesses are those with a rateable value of £51,000 or less
For more information, please visit Find Business Support ENDS
