Small business grant scheme extended to self-catering amid Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown; Highland Council urges companies to see if they may be eligible following changes by Scottish Government

SELF-catering businesses have been urged to check if they are eligible for small grants of up to £25,000 after revised guidance was launched by Highland Council and the Scottish Government.

The move to extend the relief fund comes after concerns were raised by the tourism industry and self-caterers that they were being overlooked by the scheme – which offers grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 to companies affected by the coronavirus lockdown and economic shock.

The Scottish Government small business grant scheme expansion now includes self-catering properties and caravans where receipts represent a primary source (for example, one third or more) of earnings for the ratepayer and the property has 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 Highland Council’s Covid-19 business advice web page, complete the Application Form and return it to COVID-19grants@highland.gov.uk

With more than 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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