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Financial support available to Moray businesses as area remains in tier three of Covid-19 restrictions


By Jonathan Clark

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THE Scottish Government has confirmed financial support will be available for businesses in Moray affected by the continuation of level three coronavirus restrictions.

Moray Council will administer the Moray Local Restrictions Grant, which eligible businesses do not need to apply for.

Businesses that previously received financial support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF) or the Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Support Fund will be awarded grants of up to £1500 for up to a two-week period, depending on Rateable Value.

Sectors being supported include hospitality, accommodation providers, sports, leisure and entertainment venues and tourist attractions.

Moray Council will also offer discretionary funding to those involved in the supply chain to hospitality and tourism businesses. The criteria and further details of this will be published early next week.

Moray Council leader, Councillor Graham Leadbitter (SNP, Elgin City South) said: “We understand the news of staying in level three a bit longer could give cause for concern for a number of businesses who were looking forward to opening up further from Monday.

“However, our team will distribute the financial support available as quickly as possible and, as applications are not required for the funding, we expect to process these by Friday, May 21.

“We will provide further details of additional discretionary funding next week and we thank our business community in advance for continuing to comply with the level three coronavirus restrictions for just a bit longer.”

To be eligible for financial support through this fund your business must fall into one of three categories.

It can be that the business was set to open in level three, but must remain closed in level two.

It can be that the business is required to continue to modify its operations in accordance with the regulations in place at level three.

Or it can be an accommodation business or visitor attraction. These are sectors which, despite not being required to close or specifically modify their operations as a result of regulations, are impacted by the travel restrictions in place.

Nightclubs and softplay centres are not eligible for support through this fund, as they would not have been allowed to open in level two either.

Only businesses that have previously received financial support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund or the Small Accommodation Providers Paying Council Tax Support Fund are eligible for a grant through this scheme.

Businesses that have not previously received support through either of these schemes but otherwise meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply to Moray Council’s Local Authority Discretionary Fund.



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