Thursday, 4 March 2021
Details of all business support available from Scottish and UK Governments and partner organisations can be found on the following sites:
Covid-19 Strategic Framework Business Fund
Covid-19 Discretionary Business Fund
Scottish Government Business Support Fund Grant Statistics
For any other general business enquiries e-mail: businessgrowthteam@aberdeencity.gov.uk
The Council is understanding of the challenges that our tenants are facing at the moment. Invoices for Commercial rent are continuing to be issued in accordance with lease terms however any tenant who is struggling to pay rent should contact estates@aberdeencity.gov.uk to discuss their options. Any tenant who is looking to defer rental payments will be required to provide the following:
Further tenants who are struggling to meet rent and other commitments are encouraged to contact the Business Growth Team for advice - businessgrowthteam@aberdeencity.gov.uk
Soft play centres and nightclubs which have been closed by law since the beginning of lockdown at the end of March may now be eligible for support through a £11m COVID–19 Contingency Fund. One off grants of £10,000 up to £50,000 will be available and will be based on the rateable value of the premises that the business operates from.
Businesses operating multiple premises will be eligible to claim one full grant plus grants of up to 75% on subsequent properties.
The Scottish Government have asked for Local Authorities to follow their strict guidelines to identify businesses who will be eligible for this support and will contact you shortly.
On 21 January 2021 the Scottish Government announced that large self-catering businesses (recorded by the rates assessor as sleeping seven or more guests) and exclusive use self-catering support (listed on the NDR roll, as 'exclusive use accommodation') will be able to secure grant. Eligible self-catering businesses will be able to apply for one off grant support of £2,000. Eligible exclusive use premises will be able to apply for £10,000 in grant support.
The Council is awaiting details of this grant scheme from the Scottish Government. Once this is received, details will be provided here on eligibility and how to apply for grant.
Large self-catering and exclusive use owners are asked not to contact the Council meantime.
On 21 January 2021 the Scottish Government announced that B&B's, which do not pay non domestic rates but who pay Council Tax, will be able to secure grant support. The Council is awaiting details of this grant scheme from the Scottish Government. Once this is received, details will be provided here on eligibility and how to apply for grant.
B&B owners are asked not to contact the Council meantime.
This fund is for those who;
(i) Became self-employed on or after 6 April 2019 but before 17 March 2020 (and are therefore ineligible for the UK Government’s Self Employment Income Support Scheme because you did not submit a tax return including income from self-employment for 2018-19)
or
(ii) Became self-employed between 1 October 2018 and 6 April 2019 but are ineligible for the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) because you weren’t self-employed for a sufficient period of time in the 2018/19 Financial Year to demonstrate that you derived 50% of your income from self-employment
For full eligibility and to apply please visit the Find Business Support website (Please note this fund is not administered by Aberdeen City Council).
This fund aims to provide support to businesses whose main income comes from the wedding and civil partnerships industry which has been significantly impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund launched on Thursday 28 January. More information.
This fund is for owners and operators of mobile and home-based close contact service businesses and for registered driving instructors. It is not for employees of those businesses. For full eligibility and to apply please visit the Find Business Support website. (please note this fund is not administered by Aberdeen City Council)
VisitScotland is administering nine funds on behalf of the Scottish Government. The funds due to be launched over the next few weeks are:
Event Industry Support Fund – late January/early February
Coach Operators Fund – first week of February
Visitor Attractions Fund – week commencing 8 February
Hostels Fund – week commencing 15 February
You can find information on how to apply for each of these funds as they go live on VisitScotland.org
