Holiday accommodation providers, including self-catering properties, exclusive use properties, B&Bs and other accommodation types required to close under The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, and liable for Non Domestic Rates are already eligible for grants under the Strategic Framework Business Fund, and should apply to their Local Authority to get this.[2]
In addition certain types of self-catering and exclusive use accommodation, and B&Bs paying council tax, will receive tailored support, because of the unique impact on them, or their unique position (B&Bs),
For self-catering and exclusive use there is one-off additional support valued at £7 million comprising:
a.) The Large Self-Catering Grant which was originally announced by the Scottish Government as part of the £104 million tourism and hospitality package in December – to be referred to, as required, as the ‘Large Self-Catering Grant’.
This fund has been designed in recognition that larger self-catering properties have been uniquely impacted by the single household rule introduced on the 23rd of September.
Self-catering businesses are eligible to apply if they have a property which accommodates 7 or more people for which they pay Non Domestic Rates. The number of bed spaces will be linked to records held by Rates Assessors. The large self-catering grant will make one off payments of £2,000 available to eligible applicants.
Please note – The application process for this fund is not yet live, and further details on where and how to apply will be provided asap – see below.
b.) The Exclusive Use Grant which was announced as part of the same package above in December – to be referred to: as required, as the ‘Exclusive Use Grant’.
In recognition of the restrictions on gatherings and the one household rule for self-catering accommodation, Exclusive use properties are eligible to apply for one off grants of £10,000 if they pay Non Domestic Rates and have been evaluated by the Scottish Assessors Association[3] as an Exclusive Use Venue providing overnight accommodation, either in their main building or in lodges at the property or a combination of both.
Please note – The application process for this fund is not yet live, and further details on where and how to apply will be provided asap – see below.
For B&Bs paying council tax there is additional support valued at £1m every 4 weeks to be referred to: as required, as the ‘Support for B&Bs paying Council Tax Grant’.
c.) Support for Bed & Breakfasts paying Council Tax Grant
Further support will be provided to eligible B&Bs which do not pay Non Domestic Rates, but pay council tax. The Strategic Framework Business Fund (SFBF) provides grants for NDR paying businesses required to close by law as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. B&Bs paying council tax will get equivalent support comprising £2,000 every 4 weeks.
d.) Islands businesses in Level 3 are also eligible for support to the equivalent of Level 4 Strategic Framework Business Fund. Eligible businesses will be able to access the funds outlined above as well as, where applicable.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Strategic Framework Business Fund – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Operational arrangements for these funds will go live in February. Further detail will be announced on Find Business Support Find business support in Scotland – Find Business Support. Please note that businesses operating without a business bank account but meeting other key eligibility criteria will be eligible for support.
Business are asked NOT to contact their local authority about the Large Self-Catering, Exclusive Use and Support for B&Bs paying Council Tax Fund at this point, but to monitor Find Business Support Find business support in Scotland – Find Business Support, for more details. Information on when and how to apply will also be shared via stakeholder groups in due course.
[1] Scotland’s Economy Support for larger self-catering properties and B&Bs – Scotland’s Economy (blogs.gov.scot)
[2] Eligibility for the Strategic Framework business fund is based from The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020, and only business premises that are specified here to close or modify operations are eligible.