Applyfor recovery grants

Rural food and drink businesses have been handed a boost after securing £50,000 worth of funding to help with the recovery from Covid-19.

Forth Valley & Lomond LEADER has secured grant funding from the Scottish Government to help rural businesses adapt and recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Grants of up to £1000 are available to businesses to help them adapt their operations ahead of reopening at the end of April, from making small changes to their premises to developing their online presence.

LEADER local action group Chair Douglas Johnston said: “The aim of the scheme is to help rural food and drink businesses get back on their feet and re-open in a safe and socially distant way. Funds can be used to implement a range of risk mitigating measures, from Covid-19 training for staff to the construction of outdoor covered seating areas.”

The fund will be administered by Forth Valley Food and Drink, a local network established in 2020 to support and promote the region’s local larder.

Network coordinator Carolyn McGill said: “We’re heartened to have a date for the re-opening of hospitality after an extremely challenging winter for the sector.

“The fund is a welcome boost and will help hard hit businesses across rural Forth Valley adapt their practices and premises ahead of reopening, keeping both staff and customers safe.”

To check whether your business is eligible and to request an application form, email hello@ forthvalleyfoodanddrink.org

The fund will open for applications on April 6.