'Many' Highland businesses hit by Covid-19 restrictions affecting hotels, restaurants and pubs have not yet applied for hardship grants just days before deadline

MANY Highland businesses eligible for a hardship fund set up by the Scottish Government following the most recent Covid-19 restrictions have yet to apply for it.

That's despite the fact that is closes to new applications by close of play on Tuesday of next week.

Highland Council said yesterday it had been making good progress paying out grants on behalf of the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 Business Hardship Fund since it opened on October 20.

Businesses eligible for the grant are those that have been obliged by law to close or restrict their opening hours or operating practice directly because of the restrictions introduced on October 9. Essentially this applies to licenced premises such as hotels, restaurants, pubs and some cafes.

The local auhtority has paid out 262 grants to Highland businesses have been approved "and any new applications are being processed on the day they are received".

“Despite the good progress to date we are aware that many Highland businesses who are eligible to receive this grant have still not applied. We urgently ask that get their application in as soon as possible to us, as the scheme closes to new applications at 5pm on Tuesday, November 3.” - Cllr Trish Robertson

The original grant values of £1000 and £1500 were increased to £1440 and £2155 respectively to reflect the extension to the restriction period, The council has automatically paid the new, higher amount to all applicants to avoid the need for businesses to make multiple applications.

Chair of the economy and infrastructure committee, Cllr Trish Robertson said: “Despite the good progress to date we are aware that many Highland businesses who are eligible to receive this grant have still not applied. We urgently ask that get their application in as soon as possible to us, as the scheme closes to new applications at 5pm on Tuesday, November 3.”

Businesses are asked to go to the Council’s Covid-19 business grant page on its website and check to ensure that they meet the full range of eligibility criteria. Eligible businesses are then asked to complete the online application form accurately and in full while ensuring that they submit the specified evidence.

The council said: "If businesses get completed applications to us with the right evidence, they will receive the grant in their bank account within days."

A further element of the scheme is designed to support local producer/wholesale businesses that supply primarily short-life goods or produce to the businesses which have been required by the regulations to close or operate in a restricted way and can evidence a 25 per cent reduction in turnover during the brake period.

For more information please go to www.highland.gov.uk/businesshardshipfund

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