The funds have been administered by the council on behalf of the Scottish Government to mitigate the immediate financial challenges businesses have faced as a result of restrictions and regulations introduced to control the spread of COVID-19.

Grants managed by the council including the Strategic Framework Business Fund, Newly Self Employed Hardship Fund and Business Support Fund have helped safeguard Borders businesses.

Applications for the recently announced Borders Discretionary Support Fund for Business, which is targeting firms who have not been able to access funding since October and where there is no prospect of sector support, will open for a three-week period from 8 February.

As a result of the sustained impact COVID-19 has had on the economy over the last year, additional financial aid from the Scottish Government is continuing to be made available through local authorities and other partners.

A £25m fund to support the wedding sector was launched last week in recognition of the ongoing challenges faced by the industry. One-off grants of up to £25,000 are being made available for eligible businesses in the sector including wedding venues, photographers, caterers and suppliers. This particular fund is being administered by South of Scotland Enterprise.

The Scottish Government has also committed to similar funding for breweries, travel agents and indoor football centres in recognition of the specific challenges these industries have faced. The Council will be reaching out directly to eligible businesses from these sectors within the Borders area with further information when applications go live.

Councillor Mark Rowley, executive member for economic regeneration and finance, said: “Delivering business support has been a key priority for the Council throughout the pandemic and has been an absolutely crucial lifeline to support and protect thousands of Borders businesses who have suffered financially throughout the pandemic and often really struggled. We are here to help.

“We are continuing to deliver further support, whenever it is made available by the Scottish Government, to help businesses and the self-employed across a wide range of sectors who require further assistance or have not yet been eligible for support until now.

“Local businesses are absolutely vital to us in the Borders, so ensuring the continued survival of our local businesses is of paramount importance. I urge every business, whether you have received support already or not, to keep checking the Find Business Support website for funds becoming available that you may be eligible for and apply when these are available. I also urge Borders residents to shop local and support local businesses whenever you can.”