Virus hardship funds are open for business

TWO hardship funds for the newly self-employed and the creative, tourism and hospitality sectors remain open for applications during the coronavirus pandemic.

The self-employed hardship fund and coronavirus business support fund are being administered by Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders Councils.
Applicants in Dumfries and Galloway should go to https://supportdg.dumgal.gov.uk or ring 01387 260280.

In the Scottish Borders business owners can go to www.scotborders.gov.uk/covid
19business or call 01835 825600.
The creative, tourism and hospitality enterprises hardship fund is being administered nationally in conjunction with South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE).

The link for business is https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/coronavirus-advice or call 0300 303 0660.
Those who are still not eligible for these new national funds or any of the other existing funds or grants, can contact SOSE for further support and advice at www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/contact or call 0300 304 8888.

Professor Russel Griggs, SOSE chairman, said: “This is a hugely challenging time and as the new enterprise agency for southern Scotland, we’re committed to doing everything we can to give support wherever it is needed and that this support is tailored to individual needs and circumstances.

“We continue to encourage businesses to apply for the range of existing support and to make sure they seek the help which is available.”

Nick Halfhide, interim chief executive of SOSE, added: “We’re prioritising all our resources into the COVID-19 response to support our economy in the south and to look ahead to the recovery.”
“More information and application process are at https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot.”

Councillor Rob Davidson, deputy leader at Dumfries and Galloway, said: “Our priority is to make sure we do what’s necessary to release this much-needed extra money quickly and effectively and we ask for patience and understanding during this time.
“We also ask people to get in touch if they don’t know where to apply for support.”

Councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders’ executive member for business and economic development, said: “We want to ensure people know what support is available and can access that support quickly and easily.
“This extra funding will have an impact on that but this will be a long journey and partnership working will be key.”

More than 2,000 payments worth a total of £22.4m have been processed by Scottish Borders Council for companies which have applied to the Scottish government’s business support fund.
A total of 46 applications to the newly self-employed hardship fund have also been
approved and the payments of £2,000 each process