Grants worth more than £7.8 million have been awarded to hundreds of businesses in East Dunbartonshire impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Council and Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire have been inundated with queries and applications from firms and enterprises - ranging from sole traders to major employers.
The Scottish Government Coronavirus Business Support Fund is being administered by the Council and - as of 29 April 2020 - 952 applications had been received for a Small Business (£10,000) or Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (£25,000) Grant.
A total of £7.805 million worth of grants have been paid (as of 29 April 2020) - including 643 Small Business Grants, totalling £6.43 million, and 55 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants - worth £1.375 million.
The Scottish Government recently announced additional support - including the Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund, aimed at people unable to secure aid through other schemes. A one-off grant of £2,000 is available to eligible applicants.
For details, visit the Council's dedicated business support webpage - www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/covid-19-business-support - which also has information on the UK Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-employment Income Support Scheme, as well as other initiatives.
Councillor Andrew Polson, Joint Leader of the Council, said, "Public health is of paramount importance during these challenging times - and I am pleased that people are continuing to work together to minimise the spread of COVID-19 - however, it is also vital that local businesses are given as much support as possible, as quickly as possible.
"I am delighted that we have been able to play a key role in helping local businesses to unlock more than £7.8 million of funding during this unprecedented, global emergency. Local companies, traders, enterprises and entrepreneurs provide a range of important services, goods and employment to thousands. They really are the backbone of the East Dunbartonshire economy and we will continue working with them to ensure they are supported moving forward."
Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of the Council, added, "It has been an incredible effort by the Council and Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire to process such a huge number of applications in such a short space of time. Our aim has been to make payment within 10 working days from receipt of a fully-completed application, regardless of ongoing challenges and the high volume of enquiries.
"I would like to thank everyone for their hard work. Ensuring the right support is available within the right timescale helps to protect jobs and ensures our businesses are in the best place possible to help lead the economic revival when appropriate. I would encourage any firms or individuals who have not yet applied for a business grant to visit our webpage or get in touch with the team."
For information, visit eastdunbarton.gov.uk/covid-19-business-support and www.businessworks.scot
You can also e-mail Covid19BusinessSupport@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call 0141 578 8530.
Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire is continuing to offer advice and support via online workshops and networking groups, as well as one-to-one 'remote' meetings.
For additional information on funding sources and support for businesses, visit www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder
Support available (conditions apply) includes:
- The Scottish Government's Newly Self-Employed Hardship Fund - with eligible applicants able to access a one-off grant of £2,000
- The Scottish Government's Business Support Fund - through which eligible ratepayers of businesses located in a non-domestic property can apply for a one-off Small Business Grant of £10,000. A separate one-off grant of £25,000 is available to eligible ratepayers of businesses in Retail, Hospitality and Leisure.
- The UK Government's Self-employment Income Support Scheme - providing a grant to self-employed individuals or partnerships, worth 80% of their profits (up to a cap of £2,500 per month)
- The UK Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - with eligible businesses able to claim 80% of an employee’s wages (plus any employer National Insurance and pension contributions) if they have been placed on furlough (temporary leave) because of COVID-19.
For more information on support available visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/covid-19-business-support and www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder
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