Funding for growth

For both existing businesses and new starts ups that have been trading for at least three months, grant support is available to help deliver growth ambitions. The Argyll and Bute Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme includes a range of funding.

A growth grant from the programme of between £1,000 and £5,000 can cover 50 per cent of costs for projects linked to business growth. In addition, businesses can also access grants from £250 up to £1,500 (50 per cent of costs) to support training, accreditation or attendance at trade fairs linked to business growth.

‘I have always found the support from Business Gateway to be an immense help,’ explains Colin Potter from Architeco, an architect’s firm based in Dunoon that specialises in sustainable design. ‘Having grant support also helped to reduce the financial pressure of business growth and allowed it to happen faster.’

To access support, businesses must first register for the programme.

Anyone wanting to check their eligibility should visit www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/bglgap. A Business Gateway adviser will work with businesses registered for the programme to develop a growth plan and access relevant support.

The 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.