Posted: 26 February 2021
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our friends at Business Gateway in Falkirk have pulled together this excellent summary regarding the support available to local businesses. Similar support will be available in other council areas.
UPDATE - Falkirk Council Discretionary Fund
This fund will close today, Friday the 26th at 5 pm, and we would encourage as many businesses as possible to get their application in for this date. Apply here
The Scottish Government have now announced additional money will be available for the Falkirk Council Discretionary Fund, which will allow them to provide additional support to businesses in the Falkirk area. As a result they will be able to re-open a new revised, wider version of this fund from Mid March– please read the important update below:
- They will finish assessing the current applications to the current fund that are now in their system.
- As a result of this announcement they will review the criteria of the existing scheme and how this may change to reflect this new budget.
- Once thier proposals to deliver this additional funding have been approved the new Discretionary fund Mark 2 will re-open and they anticipate this being around the 15th March.
Please note businesses who have already had approval from the Falkirk Council Discretionary Fund will not need to re-apply under the new criteria – if larger awards are available these will be automatically paid to eligible businesses .
Once the new fund is live they will announce this through their social media channels - so please keep checking back.
Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
Details about the fourth grant will be announced on 3 March 2021
Grant for self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19). Check eligibility criteria from previous rounds. Information will be published on thier social media and Falkirk Council's support for business page.
Find out more here
Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund
One-off £4,000 grant for newly self-employed and those who were ineligible for the Covid-19 Self-employment Income Support Scheme. Deadline 5pm on 16 March 2021.
Find out more and apply here
Mobile And Home Based Close Contact Services Fund
One-off £4,000 grant for owners and operators of mobile and home-based close contact service businesses and for registered driving instructors. Deadline 5pm on 16 March 2021.
Find out more and apply here
Support for the tourism and events sector
VisitScotland are currently administering the following funds on behalf of the Scottish Government:
The Hostel – COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund - applications open until 12pm on Tuesday 2 March 2021
Event Industry Support Fund 2 – late January for top-up payments / applications open until 5pm on 26 February.
Scotland Inbound Tour Operators - COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund. Guidance available and applications open from Thursday 25 March
Scotland Day Tour Operators - COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity Fund. Guidance available and applications open 4 March 2021. Find out more here
Scotland’s Tour Guides Fund - guidance available, applications open 3 March.
Scottish Country Sports Tourism Restart Fund – guidance available, applications live 24 February
Campervan and Motorhome Rental Operators fund. Details to follow on VisitScotland.org.
B&Bs, Exclusive use & larger self-catering grants
Eligible B&Bs in Scotland that do not pay non-domestic rates, but do pay council tax ,
Eligible large self–catering businesses (7 bedspaces or more) will be able to apply for one off grant support of £2,000.
Eligible exclusive use premises will be able to apply for £10,000 in grant support.
Falkirk Council will identify and invite eligible businesses to register for payment.
There is no need to apply.
Business Resilience & Adaptation Grants
Funds to support Falkirk Council area businesses with additional operational costs or those looking to diversify.
Strategic Framework Business Fund
Still open for applications
If your business has been forced to close since the move to Tier 4 on the 26th December, then you may be eligible for support through the Business Temporary Closure Fund.
Those who have received this grant or the Temporary Restrictions Fund since the 2nd November to 26th December DO NOT need to re-apply.
The Apprentice Employer Grant
Grants up to £5,000 to help employers to recruit new Modern or Graduate Apprentices within their business or to upskill existing employees.
LOANS
Falkirk Restart Loan
Offering loans from £1,000 up to £5,000, the interest rate is fixed at 0%. Available to existing small & medium sized businesses based in the Falkirk Council area to help with short term cash-flow issues, as a direct result of Covid-19.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) - Deadline 31st March 2021
Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) - Deadline 31st March 2021
Bounce Back Loan (BBLS) 'Top-up’ scheme - Deadline 31st March 2021
More support for business, FAQ's and points of contact here
Business Gateway
Free support and advice for your business
The Business Gateway Falkirk team offers free support to help your business during these challenging times. Including 1:1 local advice, checklists & online guides. From switching to online platforms, business strategy, redundancy, HR & leaving the EU
Their free support available includes:
Coronavirus support
EU Exit support
Access to funding
Free workshops and events
Digital Boost courses, online tutorials and support
Planning to start
HR support
Expert consultancy support
Access to Scottish Enterprise initiatives
National business information centre
Please contact the team at Business Gateway if you have any questions regarding the above. Connect with them here
