Urgent – Discretionary Business Support Fund
The Discretionary Business Support Fund is a £120 million fund which will be distributed by Local Authorities (Local Councils) across Scotland.
Who is it for?
This fund aims to support local businesses that are experiencing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions and regulations introduced since October 2020 but who have not been able to and will not be able to access other business grants provided by the Scottish Government.
If your business is still being adversely impacted by Level 4 restrictions (and you have not received any support), you may be eligible to apply.
Who can apply?
The Local Authorities will determine detailed eligibility criteria so this may vary from region to region. Please check your Local Authority website for details and the supporting documentation required.
Some Councils have already opened the application process and are allocating grants on a first come first served basis, so you may need to act very quickly.
In particular we are aware that Edinburgh Council will open their portal between 8am and 8.30am today (Wednesday 3 February 2021) on a first come first served basis and they have stated that they will close this when they have received the first 1,500 applications. The Edinburgh Council portal will also take applications from businesses based in Midlothian.
Important information
This fund is managed by Local Authorities. Funds will be issued at their discretion. They will assess which businesses in their area have not received support until now and are most in need.
Further information on the fund has been/will be published on the Local Council websites. Please note that not all Council websites have been updated as yet. So you may need to keep checking back for updates.
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Argyll and Bute
- Clackmannanshire
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Dundee
- East Ayrshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- East Lothian
- East Renfrewshire
- Edinburgh
- Falkirk
- Fife
- Glasgow
- Highland
- Inverclyde
- Midlothian
- Moray
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- North Ayrshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Orkney
- Perth and Kinross
- Renfrewshire
- Scottish Borders
- Shetland Islands
- South Ayrshire
- South Lanarkshire
- Stirling
- West Dunbartonshire
- West Lothian
How much is the grant?
The grant is a one off payment of £2,000
City of Edinburgh Council
The City of Edinburgh Council online applications system will go live between 8am and 8.30am on Wednesday 3 February 2021.
They will process claims on a first come first served basis.
https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/discretionaryfund
Midlothian Council
Businesses in Midlothian will be directed to the City of Edinburgh Council website to make their application. This will go live between 8am and 8.30am on Wednesday 3 February 2021
https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200296/coronavirus/633/advice_for_businesses
West Lothian Council
Applications via their website are already live. They do not state the order that they are being processed in or a closing date.
https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/67940/Discretionary-Business-Fund-
Falkirk Council
Applications are open now and will close at 5pm on 26 February 2021.
https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/covid19/business-grants.aspx#discretionaryfund
East Lothian Council
Full details and an application form will be available from Wednesday 3 February 2021. The fund will only be open for applications for six days initially (until 5pm on Monday 8 February 2021) to allow applications to be assessed and processed in “the most fair way” – not just on a first-come, first-served basis.
https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/supportgrants
Scottish Borders Council
Applications for the fund will be open for a three week period from 8 February 2021 to 28 February 2021.
https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/info/20004/business/1050/covid-19_business_funds/4
Stirling Council
Applications are open now and should be submitted by 5pm on 10 February 2021.
The information in this blog provides only an overview of Scottish Government guidance and legislation in force at the date of publication and no action should be taken without consulting the detailed Scottish Government guidance and legislation or seeking professional advice. Therefore no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the material contained in this blog can be accepted by the firm.
