One week left for businesses to apply for Scottish Government business fund
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ELIGIBLE Moray businesses have a week left to apply for a top-up grant from the Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF).
Applications will close on Friday, February 5. Existing SFBF applicants do not need to reapply for the top-up payment.
This financial support from the Scottish Government offers a one-off additional grant for businesses that closed when the country entered level four of the Covid-19 protection measures from December 26.
Head of economic growth and development at Moray Council, Jim Grant, is encouraging Moray businesses to check their eligibility for the fund before the deadline.
“We are aware there are still a number eligible businesses in Moray that have not yet applied for the fund and are keen to maximise the funding distributed locally," he said.
"Businesses can check their eligibility and submit their application online.
“While we are currently experiencing high levels of applications, and would ask for patience as we respond to these, we have recruited additional staff and will get applications and payments out to successful applicants as quickly as possible.
"Businesses can help the process by ensuring their form is fully completed and all the required documents are provided at the time of submitting the application.”
Completed application forms can only be accepted online or via email. The completed application form with supporting documents should be sent to sfbfund@moray.gov.uk.
For hospitality businesses, the fund provides a one-off grant of £25,000 for if the business' rateable value is £51,001 or more and £6000 if the rateable value is £51,000 or less.
Restaurants, bars, pubs, licensed social and sports clubs, cafes and hotels are in scope for the hospitality top up payment.
This payment will be made per eligible premises, with no limit on the number of premises that a business has.
Other accommodation providers (self-catering, B&B’s, guesthouses, campsite, caravan parks, and hostels) are not eligible.
Self-catering and B&B’s will benefit from their own bespoke funds, as part of the overall additional package announced by the Scottish Government pre-Christmas.
For retail & leisure businesses (which include indoor gyms and equivalents) this provides a one-off grant of £9000 for all relevant businesses with a rateable value of £51,001 or more and a one-off grant of £6000 for relevant businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or less.
This payment will be made per eligible premises, with no limit on the number of premises that a business has.
