Aberdeen support fund goes live

Venues which operate takeaway services not eligible

HOSPITALITY businesses in Aberdeen can now apply for grants of either £1000 or £1500 per premises through the city council website.

Venues forced to close as a result of the local lockdown imposed by the Scottish Government on August 5 are eligible for a share of a £1 million Business Support Fund.

Properties with a rateable value of under £51,000 can apply for a grant of £1000, with properties with a rateable value over £51,000 eligible for £1500.

Where a business operates multiple properties they can apply for a grant for each property, up to a maximum of £10,000.

However, there are caveats.

Businesses which are operating a takeaway service are not eligible for the scheme. As are businesses which are deemed to have “breached wider COVID regulations/requirements prior to local restrictions”.

Also, the grants are to be declared as income to HMRC.

In order to apply businesses in the city will have to create an account on the city council website. They must be able to supply a recent business bank account statement with evidence of active trading up to August 5; and a copy of their most recent non-domestic rates bill (or if a landlord pays the rates bill the operator must produce a copy of their lease agreement).

The council has said it will “aim to process applications and funding within ten working days”.

Businesses can apply for a grant here.