Applications for Phase Two business support grants are now being  accepted

Applications for the second phase of business support grants are now being  accepted.

The Phase Two grants are in support of businesses that occupy multiple premises.

The council are administering the issue of grants on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Any businesses that have received an initial £10,000 grant from the Small Business Grant Fund and occupy multiple properties may now make individual applications for each of its other properties. If these properties meet the eligibility criteria, there will be an entitlement to a grant for each business property of up to 75% of the initial grant - £7,500.

In addition, for larger businesses which have received a £25,000 grant from the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund and occupy multiple properties, individual applications can now be made for each of their other properties. If the criteria are met there will be an entitlement to a grant for each property of 75% of the original £25,000 grant (£18,750).  Businesses in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sector can also now apply to the Small Business Grant fund for a grant for properties that they occupy with rateable values of up to £18,000 and with a cumulative rateable value of up to £51,000.

Ratepayers who are in receipt of Discretionary Sports Relief are now entitled to make a claim to the Small Business Grant Fund.

Council Leader Graham Leadbitter said: “These are unprecedented times, as is the level of support we need to give businesses.

“Staff within Moray Council and Highlands & Islands Enterprise are processing applications to get funds out to eligible businesses as quickly as possible. In Moray, that has been happening really quickly and the effort being put in to get this money out the door and into business accounts is phenomenal.

“I would urge any business that may be struggling in the current circumstances to look at all the support options they are eligible for and get applications in quickly. Our aim is to help as many businesses to survive this situation as we possibly can and get our economy in Moray on the road to recovery as and when restrictions start to ease.”

All branches or business properties claimed for must be within the Moray Council area; those outwith must be claimed from the local authority for that area. Council staff will endeavour to process successful applications within a ten-day period.

Application forms and more information on eligibility criteria, including a FAQ page, are on the Moray Council’s website at http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_132568.html