North Lanarkshire Council to change grant funding system it offers to local businesses

dailyrecord.co.uk:

North Lanarkshire Council is to change the grant funding system it offers to local businesses with the aim of helping start-ups.The existing Business Start-up Fund and Small Business and Self-Employed Support schemes will be combined into a new, simplified system offering grants for businesses which have been trading for up to one year, with more funding opportunities for those in their first quarter of trading.Funding can be used for essential purchases of up to ten items, including IT equipment, capital spending, infrastructure, website design, training, attending events and stock.

It is not intended to support working capital requirements.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android The tiered system will offer £3,000 to businesses which have premises or employees, or which will be VAT registered.Home-based operations without additional employees will be eligible for grants of £1,000.In order to qualify, businesses must be registered as already engaged with a business gateway adviser, and also have a clear business plan.Those businesses which employ staff will be expected to pay the Real Living Wage and meet other requirements such as Fair Work principles.Projects which are already ongoing and purchases which have already been made will not be eligible for grant funding, and successful applicants will