A new discretionary grant scheme targeting businesses experiencing significant financial challenges has gone live.
The £500,000 fund is open to applications from businesses that have received limited financial support since October.
Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “Knowing that some firms have not qualified for previous forms of grant aid this fund is designed to help those directly impacted by restrictions on other firms, for example those in the supply chain or those that have been more generally affected by reduced footfall, as well as businesses without premises.
“It was decided to fill in these gaps in provision after discussions with the Federation of Small Businesses, Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce and colleagues at neighbouring councils to try to ensure that the money goes where it is needed and in as consistent a way as possible across the wider region.
“To date the council has already administered more than £28m of support to almost 3000 city businesses, and the Discretionary Business Fund will provide support to even more.”
The grants to business will be met through an allocation of £525,570 awarded by the Scottish Government to Dundee City Council for operation and delivery of the scheme.
It will initially offer a one-off payment of £2000 per business, which could see up to 262 grants paid out before the end of this financial year in March.
To qualify for a grant, applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- businesses that supply goods or services to those who have been closed or restricted (eg home-based B2B businesses (caterers; events/conference organisers, bands, DJs, photographers etc.) cleaning businesses; tradespeople; facilities management businesses, food/drink suppliers, AV companies);
- businesses facing hardship as an indirect consequence of the current travel restrictions (eg kennels and catteries; tour guides; removals); or
- businesses who do not have business premises and are therefore ineligible for grants attached to the rates system.
More information on the Discretionary Business Support Grant scheme, including how to apply can be found at https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-advice-for-business
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
