The Omicron Business Support Fund

Earlier this year, Scottish Tourism Minister, Ivan McKee, announced details of a financial package worth up to £9 million for Scotland’s vital tourism sector. The top-up payments were given to recipients of previous VisitScotland funding and were designed to recognise the loss of revenue specifically between 8 December 2021 and 21 January 2022 in the following areas:

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

However, feedback from industry sectors highlighted a funding gap for a small number of tourism businesses in these six sectors. The Omicron Business Support Fund has now been established to support those who missed out on previous funding in 2021.

Eligible businesses may be able to apply for the new payments, worth up to £6,800 each, if they did not receive previous funding in 2021 because they:

• were not established or trading until after 2019/2020
• were unable to provide the financial evidence required, for example, due to being a new business and unable to provide published accounts for the required time period
• had a change in ownership
• were temporarily closed due to renovations, improvements, development.

Businesses will still have to show that they were open between 8 December 2021 and 21 January 2022 and were impacted directly as a result of the COVID-19 Omicron restrictions during this period.

Applications are now open until 5pm on Wednesday 30 March 2022 and unlike other funds, will not be assessed on a first come, first served basis. Applicants are advised to read the fund guidance document for eligibility criteria and submission instructions before completing the application form. You can read more about the application process, including the guidance notes, here.

For more information or if you need support submitting an application with the correct financial evidence, please contact our EQ Leisure specialists via leisure@eqaccountants.co.uk or call one of our offices.