Overview
Support to bring vacant or underused properties into use, enhance shopfronts in the Conservation Area, or delivery of town centre tourism or residential accommodation
Grant range
£10,000 to £50,000
Find out more about this grant.
Business Funding
The Council offers a range of grants to support businesses based in Argyll and Bute.
To register your interest in any of these grants, please complete the Business Funding Enquiry Form (BFEF).
You need only complete the form once. Your details will be passed on to the team administering each relevant grant, who will contact you to discuss making an application. This approach reduces duplication and ensures your enquiry reaches the right team quickly. Completing a Business Funding Enquiry Form does not guarantee funding, but it allows the Council to review your business needs and connect you with appropriate support. You can also submit the Business Funding Enquiry Form to be notified if relevant new grant funding becomes available. Declaring your interest will also help us to evidence demand and shape any future grant programmes.
Live funding schemes
Community Regeneration Partnership - Dunoon Town Centre Investment Fund Grant – up to £50,000
Empty Business Property Grant – up to £25,000
Overview
Financial incentives for property owners/tenants or potential occupiers who wish to bring an empty business property back into productive use.
Support available
Extended empty property rates relief and/or grants of up to £25,000
Schemes in development - submit a BFEF to be notified when relevant schemes launch
Argyll and Bute Council Small Business Grants – up to £10, 000
Overview
Two types of Small Business Grant will be available via the Council’s Business Gateway service:
- a Small Business Development Grant of £1,000 to £3,000 for capital or revenue costs, for full time businesses actively trading for at least 6 months
- a Small Business Capital Grant of £3,000 to £10,000 for capital expenditure only, for full time businesses actively trading for at least 12 months
The aim of these Small Business Grants is to support a range of business development objectives including improvements in productivity, competitiveness, skills, growth, sustainability, resilience, profitability, innovation or net zero transition.
Due to launch in July 2026.
Argyll and Bute Council New Business Grant – up to £1,000
A grant of up to £1,000 for new start businesses operating full time (35+ hours per week) from launch. This grant is intended to help genuinely new businesses to establish and grow in Argyll and Bute, by assisting with start-up costs.
Due to launch in July 2026.
Argyll and Bute Council Expert Help – one day of funded support
Due to launch in July 2026.
Closed funding schemes for reference
Shopfront Improvement Grant
Grants for local business owners or tenants wishing to invest in shopfronts in conservation areas or town centres. If you have been awarded this grant you can view the information here Shopfront Improvement Grant 2025 - Invest in Argyll.
UKSPF Small Business Development Grant
If you have been awarded this grant you can view the Small Business Development Grant Terms and Conditions.
UKSPF Business Start-up Grant
If you have been awarded this grant you can view the Business Start-Up Grant - Terms and Conditions.
UKSPF Expert help
If you have been awarded this support, you can view Expert Help - Terms and Conditions.
Next Steps
- Complete the Business Funding Enquiry Form
- The Council will review your submission and share it with the appropriate teams.
- You may be contacted to discuss your project or be guided to the relevant funding programme or alternatives.
Questions?
Email us at business.funding@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Other public funding
To find out about other support from across Scotland’s public sector, visit Find business support in Scotland - Find Business Support. You can see your options for funding, advice, help and more all in a single location and sign up for email alerts on the latest updates.
