A discretionary fund offering Inverclyde businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic grants of up to £10,000 has reopened for new applications.

Local firms with fewer than 250 employees can now apply to the council for one-off awards of £5,000 or £10,000 if they have been unable to access any other covid-19 financial support since October 2020.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said:

“The pandemic has ravaged many local businesses and some have unfortunately slipped through the net in relation to the existing support schemes.

“Hopefully the discretionary fund will be a lifeline to those organisations and help protect valuable local enterprises and jobs.”

ICC CEO, George McKay said:

“It is fantastic news that this fund has now reopened and we urge as many businesses that are eligible to apply early and quickly to the fund given how quickly the first fund was closed.

“We implore Inverclyde Council to work through the applications as quickly as possible in order to release these vital funds and further support local businesses at what is a critical time.”

The fund was originally launched in January but had to be temporarily closed to new applicants because of the large volume of bids received in such a short space of time for the limited amount of money available.

It has now reopened for new applications following additional government funding. Organisations that have already applied for discretionary funding do not need to reapply.

Businesses classed as arms-length organisations (ALEOS) or any which have been found to have breached covid-19 regulations are excluded and should not submit a bid, as well as any that are in administration, insolvent, or have been served with a striking-off notice.

Full eligibility criteria and application forms are now available on the Inverclyde Council website.