Further support for businesses through grant scheme
09 June 2020
A third phase of the Small Business Grant Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund to support businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic has been launched.
The extensions to schemes create an avenue for businesses typically occupying shared spaces, therefore non-named ratepayers, to access support. Tenants and occupiers of non-domestic properties such as shared office spaces, incubators and industrial units may now be eligible, provided the applicant can demonstrated that they meet the criteria.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Douglas Lumsden said: “We are working together to help businesses get through what remains an intensely challenging time for all sectors of industry.
“Every size and type of business has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so it important that the support on offer reaches all corners of the economy, locally as well as nationally.
“When we emerge from this crisis we need to businesses to be there for us – providing jobs and services – and we hope owners will come forward and accept this latest offer of financial help.”
The changes also apply to ratepayers that hold one or more properties in Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sector whose cumulative rateable value is between £35,001 and £500,000, increased from £50,000 on 8 June. This applies to those who have been eligible for the Small Business Grant Fund for each property with an individual rateable value not exceeding £18,000.
Aberdeen City Council are administering grant applications on behalf of the Scottish Government, as per earlier phases [see notes] of the schemes. Phase 3 opened to applications on Monday, 8 June.
Additionally, Small B&Bs will now also be covered by the support scheme. Previously ineligible due to not having a business bank account, small B&Bs will be able to apply to Aberdeen City Council for funding from 15 June 2020.
This funding has been repurposed from monies allocated to the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund (NSEHF), also administered by Aberdeen City Council.
To date, ACC has paid out £282,000 to 141 applicants of the NSEHF.