The Discretionary fund will be open to any small businesses and the self-employed based in Argyll and Bute who have suffered from the impacts of the pandemic and who have been ineligible for any COVID-19 related business support funds launched since 1 October 2020.

Applicants must:

• ·               be a micro or small business (fewer than 50 employees)
• ·               be either a Limited Company, Partnership, Sole Trader, Trust, Community Interest Company or Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation 
• ·               be able to quantify their reduction in turnover since March 2020 due to COVID
• ·               confirm their business was trading at 17 March 2020 and is either open and operating in a reduced capacity or temporarily closed due to COVID
• ·               not be in receipt of an enforcement notice as a result of breaching COVID Regulations
• ·               be registered for NDR or Council Tax at an Argyll and Bute address
• ·               self-employment, if applicable, must provide at least 33% of total income for the applicant (prior to COVID)

The fund will provide grants up to a maximum of £6,000. It will open for applications 22nd February, close on 19 March 2021, with first payments being made from 5 April 2021.

We will post an update on how to apply on this website on Monday.