Businesses who continue to face challenges from the impact of Covid will benefit from a new Hardship Fund.
Online applications open at 10am on 9 September 2021 and will close on Wednesday 15 September 2021 with funds allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Prepare to apply
The fund is open to businesses facing financial challenges in 2021-22, due to the impact of Covid on the business in 2020-21.
We expect a high volume of applications. If you are planning to apply, please read all the guidance information now and prepare your paperwork, ready to submit once applications open.
You can find all the information including eligibility criteria on the council’s website /discretionary-hardship-fund-businesses
Available grants
Businesses are eligible to apply if they have already received other COVID grant support, if financial challenges related to the COVID pandemic remain.
There are 3 levels of grant award:
- £2,000 for businesses with no employees (unless particular circumstances merit a higher award)
- £5,000 for businesses with 1- 9 employees (unless particular circumstances merit a higher award)
- £10,000 for businesses with 10 or more employees
Key criteria
Applicants need to demonstrate the following criteria:
· The business will suffer hardship if no support is awarded
· The business is viable going forward
· The circumstances are exceptional and COVID related
Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council:
“We understand the toll the impact has taken on many of our local businesses and want to help support ongoing recovery. If you are thinking about applying, don’t miss out, make sure you have everything you need before online applications open.”
The funding comes from £2.4 million of Scottish Government funding allocated to the council.
The council has already awarded over £1.9 million to businesses, and approved the Argyll and Bute COVID Business Hardship Fund to distribute the remaining funds as the area begins to move out of COVID restrictions.