Small Business Development Grant

About the Small Business Development Grant

This fund closed for applications on 15/11/22 as all the available grants have been allocated. If you submitted an application prior to this date, and have received an acknowledgement, your application will be processed as soon as possible.

In addition to support and advice from Business Gateway, Argyll and Bute Council may be able to provide grant funding to help your business develop.  Grants of 75% of eligible costs up to £3,000 are available.  The grant application process is as follows:

  1. Applicants should submit a fully-completed application form and any relevant supporting information.
  2. Applicants will meet (by phone or video) with a business adviser from Argyll and Bute Council’s Business Gateway to discuss their  application.
  3. If approved, applicants will be issued with an offer letter confirming the items that can be supported by the grant and the maximum value of the grant available to them.
  4. Applicants then claim their grant by submitting proof of expenditure for the approved items (invoices and bank statements).

Claims for approved costs should be submitted within 12 weeks of any offer of grant.

Eligibility

To apply for the Argyll and Bute Council Small Business Development Grant your business must be:

  • based in Argyll and Bute
  • micro or small sized (fewer than 50 employees and less than €10m turnover or balance sheet total of less than €10m)
  • actively trading for at least 3 months prior to date of application
  • providing the equivalent of full-time employment for you or a member of staff  at the current Real Living Wage or above (or has clear potential to do so within 12 months) 

Please contact Business Gateway on 01546 604555 if you have any questions about your eligibility for this funding.

You will not be able to access funding if it is likely to have a significant negative impact on other Argyll and Bute based businesses.

You cannot be awarded a grant if you have any debts owing to the Council and a check will be made when you submit your application form.

Application form

This fund closed for applications on 15/11/22 as all the available grants have been allocated. You can no longer download an application form.

Next steps

Once your application has been received, a business adviser from Business Gateway will meet with you by phone or video to discuss your application.  Your application will then be passed to a Council officer for approval or rejection.  The decision is made by assessing your application form and supporting evidence.  You can see the assessment checklist below.  Grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis until all funds are allocated. You should receive a decision on your application within 10 working days of meeting with the adviser.  You will be notified of the outcome by email. Please do not commit to any expenditure for costs listed in your application form before you receive written grant approval.

Application approval checklist

Successful applicants must meet all of the following:

  • No debts owing to Argyll and Bute Council (checks clear for Council Tax or NDR arrears)
  • Micro or small business size
  • Based in Argyll and Bute (business premises or residence of business owner)
  • Actively trading for at least 3 months prior to date of application (evidenced via income and expenditure on bank statement)
  • Able to provide the equivalent of full-time employment for owner or a member of staff  at the current Real Living Wage or above or has clear potential to do so within 12 months (evidenced via cash flow forecast or accounts)
  • The provision of grant support is not expected to have a significant negative impact on other Argyll and Bute based businesses
  • Acceptable proof of ID is provided
  • Acceptable proof of address is provided
  • Acceptable proof of  business status is provided
  • Acceptable proof of bank account is provided
  • Currently registered for NDR or Council Tax in Argyll and Bute (confirmed by Council checks)
  • Acceptable accounts (or Self Assessment return if sole trader) & 12 month cash flow forecast are provided, which demonstrate the business is viable (as reviewed by Business Gateway adviser)
  • Clear identification of costs for which grant support is sought
  • Costs identified are eligible for grant support (not statutory costs, debt repayment, or working capital)
  • There is a clear need for grant support
  • Any public sector support received within the last 3 years does not exceed the current Subsidy Control limit for SMEs