Argyll and Bute Council is encouraging local businesses with growth ambitions to make the most of its Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme, which will continue until the end of 2021 backed by European funding. Despite the impact of COVID-19 restrictions, a number of businesses across Argyll and Bute have continued to take advantage of the support on offer, with 26 grants worth more than £136,000 in total awarded since March 2020.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on many sectors, some businesses have been able to keep their growth plans on track and others have been able to adapt their business model to keep growing in a different way. The Business Gateway Local Growth Accelerator Programme gives growing local businesses the chance to access specialist advice and grant funding to help them expand.
Worth a total of £855,239, the programme is funded by Argyll and Bute Council and the European Regional Development Fund under the 2014-2020 Structural Funds Programmes.
The growth grant funding can cover 50% of costs, up to £5,000 for projects linked to business growth and up to £1,500 to support training, accreditation or attendance at trade fairs linked to growth.
Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead for Business, Regeneration and Commercial Development:
“Despite enormous pressure, it is encouraging to see many businesses adapt to this global pandemic and refocus their growth ambitions. Successful businesses are key to our local economy and the support on offer from this growth programme can help them move forward”
To access support, businesses must first register for the programme. Anyone wanting to discuss their eligibility should visit www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/bglgap or talk to a Business Gateway adviser on 01546 604555. A Business Gateway adviser will work with businesses registered for the programme to develop a growth plan and access relevant support.
The COVID -19 restrictions and impact on the economy has created challenges for many businesses, forcing them to adapt previous plans and explore new ways keep the business sustainable. In response to this the Council has secured agreement from the Scottish Government to add recovery support to the growth support on offer within the programme, and details of this will be announced soon.
Business Gateway also provide a comprehensive programme of webinars, access to both local business advisers and subject experts, information, guides, and signposting of funding opportunities to help anyone looking to help their business start, survive or grow.
