Covid hardship fund approved for businesses

Businesses affected by the Covid pandemic can apply for Covid-recovery grants from a fund of more than £500,000.

Argyll and Bute Council Policy and Resources Committee have approved the launch of the Covid Hardship Fund to support businesses facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic. Three levels of grant award will be available:

£2,000 for businesses with no employees £5,000 for businesses with up to nine employees

£10,000 for businesses with 10 plus employees Funding will be distributed on a first come, first served basis for applicants who meet key criteria including: the business will suffer hardship if support is not awarded; the business has viable future or the circumstances are exceptional and Covid related.

Council Leader Councillor Robin Currie said: ‘The pandemic’s been tough for local businesses. This fund is all about making help available for businesses struggling to deal with, and move on from, the impact of Covid-19.’

Information

Initial information on the fund is available at Item 13 of the Policy and Resources Committee agenda - Agenda for Policy and Resources Committee on Thursday August 12 2021, 10.30am - Argyll and Bute Council (argyll-bute. gov.uk) Further information on the opening date for the fund, eligibility criteria and details of how to apply will be available in two weeks on the council’s website and promoted through social media and other communication channels.

The funding comes from £2.4 million of Scottish Government funding allocated to the council.

The council has already awarded more than £1.9 million to businesses and approved the Argyll and Bute Covid Business Hardship Fund to distribute the remaining funds as the area begins to move out of Covid restrictions.