Time running out for businesses to apply for Covid-19 support schemes
An eleventh-hour plea has gone out to local businesses that could benefit from Covid-19 support schemes set up by the Scottish Government and administered by Highland Council.
The deadline is this Friday (July 10) at 5pm – so those eligible for support, who have not yet applied, have just a couple of days to do so.
Caithness Chamber of Commerce has set out the key details on its website, along with links to the Highland Council website for each scheme.
There is a bed-and-breakfast grant, a newly self-employed hardship fund, a self-catering business grant, a small business grant supporting businesses in non-domestically rated properties and a tenant/occupier small business grant.
Highland Council said in its latest update that the schemes – established by the Scottish Government to help companies survive during the coronavirus crisis – had paid out more than £66,000,000 to almost 6500 businesses in the region. The council has processed more than 99 per cent of the applications received since the grant schemes opened.
In a message on its website, Caithness Chamber of Commerce said: "We know that many businesses are facing additional costs as they look to reopen in line with Scottish Government guidance, and these grants could go some way to helping with these costs. We encourage any business which is eligible but has not yet applied to do so before the deadline of 5pm on July 10."
Last week, the chamber's chief executive Trudy Morris emphasised that the funding "could make a real difference" to businesses in the north Highlands.
She said: “Many businesses will be actively looking at the changes they need to make to their premises to allow their staff and customers to safely return.
"We would encourage anyone who may be eligible for support through these funds to apply if they have not done so already. This funding could make a real difference in helping businesses to swiftly and safely reopen as restrictions are lifted."
The chairperson of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee, Councillor Trish Robertson, said: “The recent announcements from the Scottish Government regarding easing the lockdown, allowing many businesses to reopen over the coming weeks, are welcome. However, many businesses may have to make adaptations to their premises at a time when they still have little or no income.
"In many cases these business grants could play a significant role in helping these businesses make the investment required to operate safely once they reopen.
“Despite this number of grants being awarded, we do know that many businesses who might be eligible for one of these schemes have yet to apply. The Scottish Government recently announced that all the council-managed schemes are to close on Friday, July 10, so we are encouraging businesses who have yet to apply to see if they qualify and to get their application in before the deadline if they do.”
The council recently launched a Highland business guide for shops and businesses to assist them with their plans to safely welcome back customers.