Firms get £23m to help them survive through pandemic
Businesses across Renfrewshire have now received more than £ 23million in grant support to help them through the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes as council chiefs confirmed they are working with aerospace giant Rolls- Royce to identify how they can support workers at the Inchinnan plant who are facing redundancy.
More than half of the plant ’ s 1,300-strong workforce is set to be axed after the company announced it was to make major cuts due to the impact of the global pandemic.
Council leader Iain Nicolson has insisted the local authority is making supporting staff a “priority”.
“The recent news of the potential for major job losses at Rolls-Royce is a devastating blow for everyone affected, including many Renfrewshire residents employed at the Inchinnan site, “said Councillor Nicolson.
“Our priority is to identify how we can support those at risk of losing their jobs and we are in contact with Rolls Royce and working with Government and national agencies to help mitigate the impact of this decision wherever possible.
“I know many more businesses big and small are struggling and we must be ready and able to tackle the social and economic harm now and in the months ahead.”
Renfrewshire Council has been administering the Scottish Government’s Coronavirus Business Support fund and staff have now awarded 2,075 cash boosts to struggling firms.
A total of 1,876 small business grants have been issued totalling £18.5million, while almost 200 retail, hospitality and leisure grants have been awarded, providing £ 4.8million to companies impacted by the spread of the virus.
And a further 190 newly self-employed people have received a further £380,000 in hardship grants.
Councillor Nicolson added: “Coronavirus is having a huge impact on all communities across Scotland and upon the local and national economy.
“Our business teams are working tirelessly to approve and award government grants and provide local businesses with support and guidance at this tremendously difficult time.
“I would encourage local employers and employees to visit our support for business web page which is being constantly updated with all the available funding schemes, including sector- specific support and employability advice too.”
The small business grant has now been extended to support tenants and occupiers of premises such as shared office spaces, business incubators and shared industrial units.
Any firms which have been impacted by the outbreak are being urged to apply now if they require support, as new applications to this fund will close on Friday, July 10.
The council web page www. renfrewshire. gov. uk/ coronavirusbusinesses will also have details of additional funding being made available for small B&Bs from Monday.
Our priority is to identify how we can support those at risk of losing their jobs