The news that Scotland has entered a new lockdown is another heavy blow for rural businesses. Some additional support has been announced however, which we’ve explained in this blog post. You can find sector-specific guidance on how the new lockdown affects your business here.
New Lockdown Grants: Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant, granted on a per-property basis to closed businesses as follows: £4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 or under; £6,000 for businesses with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000; £9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000. Find out more here.
Apply for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme: The third grant in this scheme is now available to claim if you haven't done so already. You must make your claim on or before 29 January 2021 and your business must have been impacted by coronavirus on or after 1 November 2020. You can make a claim for the third grant if you’re eligible, even if you did not make a claim for the first or second. Check your eligibility and claim here.
Strategic Business Framework Fund: Councils across Scotland have published details of how this fund will be administered. Businesses who are required to close by law as part of the Scottish Government's tier system are eligible for grant funding. Eligible businesses should apply as soon as possible. If you are based in Perth & Kinross you can do so here. If you are outwith the Perth and Kinross Council area you can find information on grants for your local authority area here.
If you’ve already successfully applied for the Strategic Business Framework Fund, or have applied and are awaiting a decision, then there’s no need to reapply, as grant amounts will be adjusted to reflect the new changes.
Adapt & Thrive Programme: Adapt and Thrive offers tailored, specialist advice, as well as grants and loans to third sector organisations. It is delivered in partnership by Firstport, Corra Foundation, SCVO, Just Enterprise, Community Enterprise and Social Investment Scotland. From 11 January 2021, there will be two changes to the programme’s criteria so it can support more organisations on their journey to recovery: Eligible organisations can access funding regardless of turnover size; The top value of grants will increase from £25K to up to £75K. The remaining criteria will continue to apply. Find out more here.
Alpkit Foundation: Grants of up to £500 are available for a range of outdoor and environmentally focused projects — including outdoor classrooms, allotments and community growing spaces. This is a rolling fund and there's no limit to the number of times you can apply. Find out more here.
Scale+Innovate - Employability & Training: Open to established small to medium size charities or social enterprises working in employability and training or environment and conservation who are looking to scale their organisation and implement a new initiative to help recover and rebuild from Covid-19. Find out more here (in order to view, you may be asked to sign up to SRN Funding Search).
Brexit Checker: With a deal agreed, new rules apply to travel and doing business with Europe. This Brexit checker provides a personalised list of actions for you and your business: https://www.gov.uk/transition
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