Clock ticking for companies to apply for Business Ventilation Fund
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SCOTTISH businesses have just days left to apply for a grant to help keep staff, customers and visitors safe from Covid and other viruses.
Owners of SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) in a range of different sectors across Scotland have until March 11 to apply for up to £2500 under the Scottish Government’s £25 million Business Ventilation Fund.
The government scheme targets SMEs where people work in close proximity such as offices, restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and many more. It aims to help businesses improve the air quality and ventilation in their premises, in order to reduce the risk of transmitting Covid-19 and other viruses to help protect staff, customers and visitors.
Eligible firms can claim up to £2500 in total from the fund, split between £500 for each air quality monitor, £250 for each air purification monitor, and £200 for each carbon dioxide monitor.
The fund will close to new applications at 5pm on March 11. Approved applications have until 12pm on March 31 to submit their claim for reimbursement.
To apply for the funding, SMEs need to: Operate in an eligible sector – visit www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-business-ventilation-fund/ to view the list; Have physical premises; Pay non-domestic rates.
Unveiling the fund last year, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "As we step away from other mitigations, improved ventilation will play a significant role in reducing transmission indoors, support the sustained opening of society and contribute to our wider Covid recovery."
To apply to the fund, businesses must complete an online self-assessment form, available from the Find Business Support website https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/
Businesses will be reimbursed for the costs of pre-approved improvements once the application process is complete and verified receipts for work have been submitted and approved.
