Scotland Coach Operators COVID19 Business Support and Continuity Fund
Post Author:
Rona Burns
Date Posted:
February 5, 2021
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This is a one-off fund to help support coach tour operators while restrictions on travel are still in place and to help prepare for recommencing operations when restrictions are lifted.
The Fund will specifically support Scottish-based businesses in the coach tourism and coach private hire sector. It is for businesses who have incurred significant costs for vehicles which cannot operate while travel restrictions are in place. It will also help businesses cover restarting costs once restrictions have been lifted.
This Fund will not support the cost of operating public bus services, or businesses whose income is mainly derived from non-tourism sources such as:
- bus services
- home to school contracts
- rail replacement services
- local authority contracts
The £10 million fund is being delivered on behalf of the Scottish Government by VisitScotland, with development, input and criteria setting from the Confederation of Passenger Transport. VisitScotland is the awarding body for this Fund.
Is my business eligible?
The Fund has been established to ensure that financial support goes to Scottish coach operators and coach private hire businesses who are operating the newest and most environmentally friendly vehicle fleet. It is open to:
- businesses who operate a coach that is either a Euro V or VI grade and either M2 or M3 category (which means 8+ seats for passengers, excluding the driver)
- businesses that have a Standard National or Standard International operating license
- businesses who have been in operation since at least 1 December 2019
- businesses whose turnover from coach tourism and private coach hire business is more than 55% of their annual turnover per the annual accounts filed in 2019/2020. Newer businesses, who have not yet filed annual accounts, can use their management accounts to 31 March 2020 to meet this condition.
- businesses who were not in financial difficulty at 31 December 2019. An operator of a SME or large organisation should see the Subsidy Control section in the detailed guidance document for more information.
Applications will be available on a per coach basis. The definition of a coach for the purposes of this Fund is either M2 (8 seats and over) or M3 (24 seats and over).
This Fund does not apply to businesses with Euro IV grade vehicles and older or M1 vehicles (cars and people carriers with fewer than 8 seats).
How much is the grant?
In the interest of fairness, the final amount to be awarded to a successful applicant will be determined once all applications are received and vetted.
The funding allocation applies to each qualifying Coach applied for. Each qualifying Coach will receive an award of up to the following:
- Euro V, up to 24 seats up to £4,500
- Euro VI, up to 24 seats up to £6,000
- Euro V, more than 24 seats up to £9,000
- Euro VI, more than 24 seats up to £12,000
How do I apply?
The fund opens for applications at 12pm on 16 February 2021 and closes at 5pm on 23 February 2021
Applications must be submitted during this time period and will not be considered on a first come first basis.
It is anticipated that demand will be high for this Fund
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.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
