Covid support for businesses
‘We also recommend that you keep up to date by signing up to email updates FindBusiness SupportScotland...’
Many businesses across Scotland are still dealing with the long-lasting effects and challenges that the Covid pandemic has caused, and the emergence of the Omicron variant has made the situation more difficult.
With the situation changing, businesses are encouraged to keep up to date with support available via the Find Business Support Scotland website.
‘Guidance for businesses and information about the UK and Scottish Governments’ financial support package is available at findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice,’ explains Councillor Robin Currie, policy lead for the economy and rural growth.
‘You can search and filter the funding options and guidance available to help your business during the coronavirus pandemic.
‘We also recommend that you keep up to date by signing up to email updates from FindBusinessSupportScotland to get the latest Government funding announcements.
‘In addition, our local Business Gateway advisers remain available to help business owners across the region respond and adapt.’
Argyll and Bute Council’s Business Gateway has added recovery support to its existing programme of business growth assistance, helping more businesses in the region access timely expert advice and funding to support growth or recovery from the impact of the pandemic.
The Argyll and Bute Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme now includes Recovery grant funding of up to £5,000.
The support is aimed at existing small and medium sized enterprises who are either aiming to restore their annual turnover to pre-Covid levels within three years or aiming for modest growth.
The programme also continues to offer growth support, via grants and expert help, with more than 100 businesses in the region assisted with grant funding and 27 with specialist advice.
The programme must close in 2022, so business owners looking for support are encouraged to register as soon as possible at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/bglgap. The Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme, worth a total of £855,239, is funded by Argyll and Bute Council and the European Regional Development Fund under the 2014-2020 Structural Funds Programmes.
Digital coaching
Through Business Gateway, businesses can also benefit from dedicated coaching as part of DigitalBoost, Scotland’s digital upskilling programme.
These online coaching sessions with a digital specialist take a small group of business owners through specific topics and answer questions that they may have about their social media platforms, digital marketing strategy, website design, and more. To book onto a coaching session visit bgateway.com and search for events in Argyll and Bute
Investment in digital technologies, whether that has involved making a website more mobile-friendly, launching a new social media platform, or creating an online shop, have all been vital for businesses to survive the pandemic.
Businesses should not lose these practices and ways of working, as digital technology still has a vital role to play as businesses rebuild from the challenges of the last two years.