Shona Robison, the MSP for Dundee City East, has welcomed the rollout of the first phase of business grants, which will support the nightclub and soft play industries.
Nightclubs and soft play centres that have been closed by law since March are to benefit from targeted funding.
One-off grants of up to £50,000 will be available to businesses in both sectors through the COVID-19 Contingency Fund. Grants will be based on rateable value. Businesses operating multiple premises will be eligible to claim one full grant plus grants of up to 75% on subsequent properties.
Guidance will be published this week to help soft play centres prepare for re-opening when it is safe to do so. The guidance has been developed in partnership with clinical experts, regulators, trade unions and industry representatives.
Commenting Ms Robison said:
“In Dundee a number of nightclubs have been badly affected by the restrictions due to COVID-19 and I hope that this funding will help them through these difficult times.
Similarly, soft play centres have been unable to open, and I am encouraged that Dundee council will be contacting both soft play centres and nightclubs directly to ensure that any funding is delivered quickly and efficiently helping to safe jobs and business that many rely on.”
ENDS
Background
Funding has been made available for soft play centres and nightclubs through the £11 million COVID-19 Contingency Fund. This is part of the package of more than £40 million support for businesses affected by the latest COVID-19 restrictions.
Premises will not be eligible if they have opened at all since March – for example by changing their licence to open as a pub – and awards may be reduced if companies successfully apply to the Cultural Organisations and Venue Recovery Fund.