The council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday (Wednesday 26 March) agreed the money for the projects which include Tall Ships event site business opportunities, Business Support Grant schemes, and a Digital Skills Programme in conjunction with Business Gateway.

Councillor Ian Yuill, council co-leader, said: “This investment is especially important for city businesses which are at their start up stage. It is good to cooperate with local entrepreneurs to help them develop digital skills.

“This year we need to grasp the opportunity to maximise any commercial benefits from the Tall Ships event coming to the city.

“The council will continue to do what it can to offer support and to make a positive difference for the private sector through available grant schemes and forms of assistance.”

Committee convener cllr Alex McLellan said: “The Council is committed to working with businesses to increase help available to them which in turn will help the city to be an even better place to visit, work, shop, live , invest, and do business.”

The Tall Ships event, which is the largest free family festival in Europe and will include more than 50 sailing ships from around the world, returns to Aberdeen in July.

The funding for the event will assist with the costs of the commercial programme for businesses, charities and visitor attractions engaged in marketing, trade and revenue generating activity. The constraints of the event site mean that all business facilities are of a temporary nature requiring marquees and stands including health and safety compliant installation, site management, security and servicing, onsite marketing provision, access assistance, and a derig after the event finishes. The grant funding will help to pay for vital infrastructure such as marquees, contribute toward supply of power and water, ensure adequate critical resourcing such as stewarding and security, and cover digital marketing to support businesses on the event site and in the wider city.

The Business Start-Up Grant Scheme would provide seed capital to support new businesses, offering one-off grant awards of either £1,000 or £3,000, where the new business is taking on a commercial room, premise or property.

The availability of a start-up grant scheme further supports the incorporation of the Business Gateway service in-house to Aberdeen City and Shire Councils. Applicants will only be eligible for a grant award if engaging with, and are assigned to, a dedicated Business Gateway officer. This will ensure the applicant is accessing business support, as well as the grant, and maximise likelihood of business success.

The Digital Skills Programme will support businesses to develop digital skills and assets which is important in order for them to stay ahead, continue to innovate and grow. This project builds upon work undertaken by the Digital Boost Programme.

Other projects which are to receive grants include the Healthy Minds Project, the Aberdeen Creative Industries Skills Development Initiative, the Tall Ships Young Person Development and Employability Project; the Paid Work Placement Initiative, the HMP Grampian Project, the Green Skills Project, the People in Recovery Project, and the Life Skills Project.

The grants were from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Aberdeen City Council.