Funding for business

Help and Support for businesses during the COVID-19 restrictions

This page will be revised as quickly as possible in response to Government updates. The most up to date information on COVID support for businesses, including funding, can be found at Find Business Support. All queries relating to COVID funding for businesses should be directed to CovidBusinessSupport@gov.scot. For other enquiries, please email economicdevelopment@eastlothian.gov.uk 

December and January Business Support Top Up - Hospitality information for businesses

The December and January Business Support Top Up - Hospitality will provide a one-off payment to support businesses affected by latest COVID public health advice in December 2021.  We will contact eligible hospitality businesses that previously received support through the Strategic Framework Business Fund to confirm details and arrange payment.

To find out more about this fund visit Find Business Support.

January Business Support Hospitality and Leisure Top Up Fund

This will provide support to businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors impacted by the restrictions introduced from 27 December 2021.  We will contact businesses who have previously received payments through the Strategic Framework Business Fund.

To find out more about this fund visit Find Business Support.

Close Contact Services Fund

This fund will provide a one-off payment to support eligible close contact service businesses impacted by the COVID restrictions and guidance introduced from 9 December 2021 to 24 January 2022 to control the Omicron variant.

The grant is a one-off payment of:

  • £1,000 for self-employed businesses
  • £1,500 for non-domestic rates (NDR) registered businesses with premises

To find out more about this fund visit Find Business Support.

Public House Table Service Restrictions Fund

This fund will provide financial support to public houses that were required to introduce table service to help control the COVID Omicron variant from December 2021.

The grant is a one-off grant at the rate of:

  • £2,500 for businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or less
  • £5,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £51,001

To find out more about this fund visit Find Business Support

Tourism Sector

The following sectors, previously supported by funds administered by VisitScotland, will be eligible for top-up grants:-

  • coach operators
  • day tour operators
  • hostels
  • inbound tour operators
  • outdoor/marine
  • visitor attractions

Businesses previously supported by VisitScotland under these funds will be contacted directly.  Eligible businesses will receive a top-up payment of £6,800 under the COVID-19 Business Support and Continuity (Tourism) Fund.

To find out more about this fund visit Find Business Support.

Scottish Wedding Industry Fund Top-Up

Businesses who have previously received funding from the Scottish Wedding Industry Fund are eligible for an additional payment.  This is to support businesses whose trade was impacted by COVID-19 advice and guidelines during December 2021 and January 2022. 

Eligible businesses will be contacted by Scottish Enterprise from Thursday 20 January 2022.

To find out more about this fund visit Find Business Support

Omicron Top Up Funding for Events Businesses

Events businesses which have been affected by the new COVID restrictions in December 2021 and January 2022 and have previously received funding through either of the Event Industry Support Funds or the Pivotal Event Businesses Fund will be eligible for a top-up payment.  Eligible businesses will be contacted by VisitScotland directly from 24 January 2022.

To find out more about this fund visit Find Business Support.

Taxi and Private Hire Driver and Operator Support Fund 2022

The Taxi and Private Hire Driver and Operator Support Fund 2022 will provide a one-off payment to eligible drivers and operators who have been affected by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) restrictions in December 2021 and January 2022.

For drivers, local authorities will make a further payment of £750 to all drivers who previously received a grant through the Taxi and Private Hire Driver and Operator Support Fund in 2021.  You do not need to apply. We will get in touch with you by letter, email or other communication method and will contact all eligible vehicle licence holders shortly to verify your eligibility and arrange payment.  Please don’t contact us as this may divert staff resources from work to deliver prompt payments.

To find out more about this fund visit Find Business Support.

COVID-19 Cancellation Fund for Creative Freelancers

This fund is to support creative freelancers working in the arts, screen and creative sectors who are experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income because of cancellations and deferrals caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Creative Freelancers can apply for between £500 and £2,000 from the fund.

To find out more about this fund visit Creative Scotland.

Business Ventilation Fund

The Business Ventilation Fund will provide funding to help small and medium sized businesses improve their ventilation, and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Businesses can claim up to £2,500 per eligible premises to recover the costs of carrying out work to improve ventilation and air quality. This could include:

  • installing of carbon dioxide monitors
  • repairs to windows and vents

Support will initally target high-risk settings where people come into close contact, such as restaurants, bars and gyms. In order to be considered for this funding, businesses must meet the eligibility criteria. It is for a local authority on behalf of the Scottish Ministers to determine if a business meets the description and further information may be requested by them, where necessary, to determine eligibility of applications.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19): Business Ventilation Fund is administered by the Scottish Government, all queries should be directed to ventilationfundhelp@gov.scot

For full information, eligiblity and how to apply

East Lothian Investments Ltd

ELI Ltd is a not-for-profit company, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, providing interest-free loans to East Lothian businesses. It is managed by a Fund Manager and governed by a Board of Directors.

  • companies must be based within East Lothian
  • loans can be applied for up to £25,000 and are interest-free with a 5% arrangement fee
  • applications can be for any purpose, except debt repayment
  • loans awarded will normally be re-paid over a term of 5 years
  • open to businesses at all stages and all sectors and types of businesses, including start up
  • upfront repayment holiday may be available, if required

More information, including applicant guidance and application available visit East Lothian Investments. Applications are now closed.