Grant scheme extended to self-catering operators

A GRANT scheme offering funding of up to £25,000 has been extended to self-catering businesses.

Highland Council has issued revised guidance on behalf of the Scottish Government with small business grants of £10,000 and £25,000 available for eligible self-catering enterprises.

Recognising the concerns raised by the tourism industry on behalf of self-caterers, the scheme has been expanded to include self-catering properties and caravans where receipts represent one third or more of earnings. The property also needs to have been let out for 140 days or more in the financial year 2019/20.

Only one grant is allowed per ratepayer across Scotland regardless of the number of premises held.

Businesses are asked to go to the council’s Covid-19 business advice web page, complete the application form and return it to Covid-19self-catering-grants@highland.gov.uk

A council spokesman said: "With over 4000 potentially eligible businesses the council is asking individual businesses to complete the application form accurately and in full. To do so will speed up the assessment process and enable grant payments to be made as quickly as possible."

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