Business Resilience
Covid-19 Scottish Business Support Summary
Strategic Framework Business Fund
Please note retail premises and accommodation providers such as B&Bs and self-catering properties are NOT eligible for this fund.
The scheme is only open to businesses that were affected by the regulations that came into effect in November and December 2020 – e.g. licenced premises that had to close earlier than usual in line with the new regulations.
The further support announced by the Scottish Government for hospitality and accommodation businesses has not been finalised yet but we will publish the details when they are available.
Please contact the Business Gateway office on businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk to be kept updated on when the new funding avenues are open for applications.
The Strategic Framework Business Fund provides grants of £1,400 or £2,100 (depending on rateable value) for businesses that remain open but are specifically required to modify their operations by protective measures. This means that your business is legally required to close earlier than normal, for example, and not that you have to adopt physical distancing or that the demand for your products or services has been reduced because of the pandemic or other restrictions which impact on individuals and communities. The grants will be payable every four weeks in arrears for the duration measures are in place.
Accommodation providers are not eligible for this fund unless they include an additional offering, such as a restaurant or bar, open to non-residents.
Strategic Framework Business Fund Application Form (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
Support for Businesses
The UK and Scottish Governments have announced a package of support to assist businesses. You can find out more at COVID-19 UK Govt Support for Business (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) and Find Business Support Scotland (Opens in a new window or downloads a file). A summary of this support is outlined in the document linked below.
Business Gateway is being responsive and reactive to the needs and challenges Scottish businesses face due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The following links provide a list of free business resources and links to funding information that may be useful to you at this difficult time:
Business Gateway Resources (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
Support Schemes, Eligibility and Access Details (1.2MB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
COVID-19 Local Business Support Scheme
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has launched a new COVID-19 Local Business Support Scheme to help businesses unable to access support from existing Scottish and UK Government business schemes.
The scheme is aimed at businesses located in the Outer Hebrides that have been unsuccessful in applying for other Government assistance.
Eligibility criteria apply so please read the scheme leaflet and, if you feel you could be eligible, please contact us on 01851 822775 or email businessgateway@cne-siar.gov.uk.
COVID-19 Local Business Support Scheme Leaflet (556.0kB) (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
Key Website Pages Specific to Covid-19 Business Support
- UK Government (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
- Scottish Government (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
- Business Gateway National (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
- Business Gateway Local Offices (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
- Federation of Small Businesses (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
- Scottish Chambers of Commerce (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)
- ACAS - The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)