At close 21st April 2020, local authorities in Scotland reported that over 72,000 applications have been received for the Scottish Government’s two business grant schemes. Of these applications, 33,176 valuing £388m have been awarded.

This grant support is worth over £1 billion and is part of the wider business support package worth over £2.2bn.

Eligibility for the grant scheme is linked to the non-domestic rates system:

A £10,000 grant is available to non-domestic ratepayers with properties in receipt of:

• Small Business Bonus Scheme relief (SBSS) or Rural Relief
• Nursery Relief, Disabled Relief, Business Growth Accelerator, Discretionary Sports Relief, Enterprise Areas Relief or Fresh Start but eligible for SBSS

A £25,000 grant is available to the ratepayers of properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with property with a rateable value between £18,001 - £51,000.

This grant is targeted at supporting small businesses, and those medium-sized businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector, who are liable for non-domestic rates in order to maximise the number of businesses we can support. Charities are also eligible for grant funding.

Applications for grants on additional properties will be open from 5 May 2020. In addition to the 100% grant on the first property, ratepayers will also be eligible for a 75% grant on each subsequent property that meets the criteria for each grant.

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has welcomed the progress of the scheme.

David Lonsdale, director of the SRC, said: “These grants provide urgently needed support for retailers operating smaller shops and who are trying to weather the current crisis, particularly those deemed non-essential and currently in hibernation.

“We are pleased that the finance secretary has listened and responded to calls to extend the retail grants scheme, which should help retailers get access to the cash they need to keep afloat and aid high streets across Scotland left reeling by coronavirus.

“It’s vital that government continues to work closely with business over the coming weeks, and that government and councils strive to ensure support gets to firms on the frontline as quickly as possible.”

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