Hardship grants open to licensed sports and social clubs

Economy Secretary confirms eligibility for more licensed businesses required by law to close or operate with specific restrictions

Hardship and closure grants will be paid to bowling and other sports clubhouses which are licensed to serve alcohol.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Earlier this month, we announced a £40 million Fund to support specific businesses currently required to close or operate with restrictions. Some sporting and other clubs have asked for explicit confirmation that they are eligible and I am pleased to confirm that we will be supporting those businesses.

Scottish Government has also confirmed that hardship grants can be paid to sports clubs, gyms and others in the central belt that operate from their own non-domestic premises and are have not been allowed to run or charge for group exercise classes since 9th October.

Applications for these funds close at 5 pm on 3rd November.

They will be replaced by a new form of support – linked to the new Strategic Framework – which will provide eligible businesses with grants of up to £3,000 every four weeks.

“As we move into the new Framework next week, I want to again recognise the sacrifices that businesses have made during this period.

“By continuing to work together to suppress this virus we can come through the other side with a fair, sustainable and wellbeing economy that will benefit us all.”

Details of current £40 million Fund and how to apply can be found at:

https://findbusinesssupport.gov.scot/service/funding/coronavirus-restrictions-fund

Last week the Scottish Government announced support for businesses which are required to close or are constrained by measures in place from 2 November.