Aberdeen City Council committed to support businesses during COVID-19

17 September 2020

Council leaders in Aberdeen have reaffirmed their commitment to do all that they can to help local businesses during these unprecedented times.

Businesses in the city that have been impacted by Covid-19 are being reminded that they can apply for a business support grant, which is being administered by Aberdeen City Council on behalf of the Scottish Government.

The £1million business support grant sees £900,000 of the fund allocated to support hospitality businesses forced to close under the local lockdown regulations, while the remaining £100,000 discretionary fund is open to business premises that have seen a downturn in trade specifically due to restrictions impacting footfall and customer ability to travel to attend appointments or bookings.

Thanks to the discretionary fund businesses including hair salons, beauty therapists, jewellery and gift shops, repair services, guest houses, charity and community cafes have been helped.

Council Co-Leader Councillor Douglas Lumsden added: “As a Council we will continue to work with partner organisations to ensure that we can do all that we can to support the business community here in Aberdeen through our Social Economic Recovery Plan and the business support grant.”

Council Co-Leader Councillor Jenny Laing added: “I would encourage any business that has been impacted by Covid-19 to apply or, at the very least, enquire as to whether or not they are entitled to a business support grant or a payment from the discretionary fund. Local businesses need all the help they can get, and we want to ensure they are able to access every penny they are entitled to.”

Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), David Groundwater said: “The funding package administered by Aberdeen City Council is certainly welcome and something FSB called for before this lockdown began.

“The funds offer short term help for businesses across the City that have been impacted by the local lockdown restrictions and will go some way to help businesses get back up to speed.

“We’d encourage any Aberdeen business, that has not already applied, to check the criteria for both funds and submit their application as soon as possible to allow successful awards to be made sooner rather than later.”

The fund will operate as a two-tiered scheme, with a smaller grant of £1,000 for businesses with a Rateable Value (RV) of under £51,000 and a larger grant of £1,500 for those businesses with a RV over £51,000.

The full criteria and an application form can be found here. If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for the fund please contact businessgrowthteam@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Updates on the route map and Aberdeen City Council’s ongoing response can be found on our website.

Scottish Government’s route map out of lockdown.