Argyll and Bute Council has awarded an art gallery, delicatessen, museum and fabric shop with Shopfront Improvement Grants in the latest round of funding.
Using Scottish Government Town Centre Funding, the Grant aims to support the local economy by providing employment for tradespeople and help towns become more attractive places to live, work, visit and invest. The council is processing 22 further applications for businesses across Argyll and Bute. The fund is still open for applications and details on how to apply can be found on the council’s website. The closing date is 12 February.
Applications are welcomed from the following areas:
Bowmore
Cardross
Rosneath
Garelochhead
Kilcreggan
Helensburgh
Lochgilphead
Ardrishaig
Tarbert
Tobermory
Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead for Business, Regenerations and Commercial Development:
“We know that businesses across Argyll and Bute are having an incredibly challenging time just now as the impact of the pandemic continues. Although many of our shops are unable to open just now, we have to look at how we support the local economy in the present and as part of our longer recovery.
Shopfront Improvement Grants provide additional help to improving business exteriors to make them more inviting for residents and visitors. They also help to support work for tradespeople who may also be struggling with their own loss of income. We have seen already how the funding is helping businesses transform their appearance or reduce the covid-19 risk. If you are thinking about repairs to your own shopfront and need some additional help, I would encourage you to apply for the grant as soon as possible. “
Complementary schemes running in Rothesay, Dunoon, Campbeltown and Oban, each have their own individual application processes.