Businesses bailed out during pandemic
Suffering businesses in Rutherglen and Cambuslang have been bailed out by vital council support during the pandemic.
So far, £60 million has been distributed to thousands of firms across South Lanarkshire, helping them meet their overheads and keep staff in challenging times.
Business support officers have worked relentlessly to support those who have had to close their operations, administering the funds provided by the Scottish Government.
Now, local businesses are speaking out about how this funding has kept them afloat.
Like so many others, Footprints Podiatry, in Burnside, was hit badly when forced to close.
Owner Karen Hendry said: “When the lockdown effectively shut me down, I again sought out advice from the council’s business support team who guided me through the process for applying for the appropriate assistance to keep me going through the crisis.
“The grant allowed us to continue to pay the bills and staff wages as well as providing the funds to help us pay for the hugely-inflated cost of PPE to let us open up again safely when possible to do so.”
Government support distributed in South Lanarkshire includes £20.86m of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Framework Business Closure and Restrictions Funds, nearly £240,000 of assistance with the costs of retaining furloughed workers, around £1.9m from the Taxi Drivers’
Fund, and £325,000 of support for soft-play and nightclub businesses.
The council is currently providing support to help B&B and self-catering accommodation providers after receiving its budget allocation.
This followed £44millon that was paid to almost 4000 businesses under the
Coronavirus Support Grant and £605,000 to the Newly Self Employed during initial lockdown last Spring.
Coronavirus travel restrictions were eased in Scotland earlier than expected, with residents in Rutherglen and Cambuslang now able to travel across Scotland.
First Minister Nicola
Sturgeon made the announcement saying the move was aimed at helping people’s mental health.
Also brought forward is the easing of restrictions on people meeting up outdoors.
People are now allowed to meet in groups of up to six adults from six households outdoors.