The Scottish Government’s £25 million Business Ventilation Fund is being introduced to help businesses improve ventilation in their premises and reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
The fund will target small to medium-sized businesses where people work in a close proximity, such as offices, restaurants, gyms, and more.
A local authority on behalf of the Scottish Ministers will decide if a business meets the requirements for the fund and additional information may be requested, where necessary, to verify suitability of applications.
Am I eligible to apply?
In order to apply for this funding, it’s essential that businesses:
- are a small or medium-sized enterprise
- are in an eligible sector
- have physical premises
- pay non-domestic rates
Am I in an eligible sector?
There are a wide range of sectors eligible for the fund, these include but are not limited to:
- offices
- pharmacies
- hairdressers / barbers
- cinemas
- hotels
- cafes
- restaurants
- indoor gyms
- public houses
- theatres
- yoga/dance/exercise studios
- spa and wellness services
- nightclubs
- licensed sports and social clubs
To read the full list of eligible sectors, click here.
How much does it cost?
Applications to the fund are free.
However, businesses will be required to pay for the costs of pre-approved improvements and claim these costs back once the work has been finished (up to a maximum of £2500).
Some businesses may have already completed improvements to their ventilation prior to the fund opening. In this case, it will not be possible to claim costs back, but they may still be eligible for additional improvements depending on what was carried out previously.
How long does it take?
For eligible businesses, costs will be repaid once the application process is complete and verified receipts for work have been submitted and approved.
How can I apply?
To apply, businesses must complete an online self-assessment form, available from the Find Business Support website.
Applications will open week beginning 22 November 2021.
For further help and advice, get in touch with our expert team at Benson Wood & Co today.
