More than £13million of coronavirus grants given to Aberdeen businesses
04 May 2020
A total of £13.225million of coronavirus grant support to businesses has been distributed by Aberdeen City Council and eligible businesses were today urged to apply for a grant of up to £25,000 to help them during the current difficult trading conditions.
The City Council has received 2,015 applications and has given about 870 awards of £10,000 grants and 181 awards of £25,000 for businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors.
The grants are aimed at helping keep companies in business and keep productive capacity so that they can recover, with the intention to protect jobs, prevent business closure, and promote economic recovery.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Douglas Lumsden said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to help so many businesses across the city at this difficult time.
“Hopefully they will be able to re-open once restrictions are lifted and continue to contribute to the economy of the city and wider region.
“We’d urge eligible businesses who have not yet applied to do so and all firms should be aware there is further help during coronavirus available from several organisations including The Business Response Hub.”
The Scottish Government Coronavirus Business Support Fund is being administered by local authorities and, depending on the type and size of business premises, companies can apply for either a £10,000 grant or £25,000 grant.
For the one-off small business support grant of £10,000, businesses can apply to access a support fund. Eligible businesses include that they are in receipt of the Small Business Bonus Scheme (SBBS), in receipt of Rural Relief, or eligible for SBBS but in receipt of Nursery Relief, Disabled Relief, Fresh Start or Business Growth Accelerator Relief. This grant is only available if they were the ratepayer for a premises occupied for that business use on 17 March, 2020.
A separate one-off grant of £25,000 is available to the ratepayers of businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors operating in a premises with a rateable value of £18,001 or up to £51,000. This is the rateable value as at 17 March 2020 regardless of any subsequent reduction in rateable value due to an appeal. This grant is only available if they were the ratepayer for a premises occupied for that business use on 17 March 2020.
The application is available at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/coronavirus-covid-19/information-businesses and anyone needing assistance should contact the business rates team on 01224 346146. The deadline for applications to the Business Support Fund is 31 March 2021.
In addition to the grants, the council’s The Business Response Hub has a team of advisers available to support any business with inquiries. The Business Response Hub is available on 01224 346145 or by email at businessgrowthteam@aberdeencity.gov.uk.
Other local organisations with available support for businesses and communities include Aberdeen Inspired, Business Gateway, Invest Aberdeen, and SEPA.