6.5 C
Inverness
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Local Business Support Grant Launched in Western Isles

- Advertisement -

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is launching a new COVID-19 Local Business Support Scheme to help businesses unable to access support from existing Scottish and UK Government business schemes.

Commenting on the new Scheme, Comhairle Leader, Roddie Mackay, stated:

“We’ve heard from many businesses that are falling through the cracks of the existing support schemes, so we’ve listened to that and are making grant funding available of up to £5,000 to support local businesses through this crisis and help them prepare for recovery.

“With our limited financial resources, we have to target support where it is most needed. 

“The first stop should be the various Government schemes and interventions and if that is unsuccessful, businesses should contact our Business Gateway team on 01851 822775 or email businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk to help them with their application.”

This is just one of a number of measures the Comhairle has taken to support local businesses. 

Last week it was agreed to offer all small businesses a three-month deferral on loan repayments, as well as offering support to tenants in Comhairle properties. 

The Comhairle is also leading a multi-agency Business Resilience Group focused on engaging with and reaching out to all sectors of the business community across the islands. 

Chairman of Sustainable Development, Cllr Donald Crichton, said:

“I would like to thank everyone involved in establishing the COVID-19 Local Business Support Scheme.

“We are committed to doing as much as we can to ensure our local businesses survive and I am pleased that we now have a scheme in place which can provide emergency financial support to local businesses.”

The Comhairle is also managing the Scottish Government Business Support Scheme. 

To date over 450 applications have been received with over £1.6m paid out to small businesses throughout the Western Isles.

Further information on the Scottish Government Business Support Grant can be found here.

Further information on the Local Business Support Grant can be found at the Business Resilience section of the Comhairle’s website.

- Advertisement -
Latest news
- Advertisement -spot_img
Related news
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img