Business start-up fund open for applications

SHETLAND Islands Council has announced the launch of a start-up grant scheme to provide financial support to new businesses for a pilot period of 18 months.

The grant scheme, put together in partnership with HIE, will be delivered through the council’s business gateway service and will offer funding of up to £2,000 to eligible business start-ups, with a further supplement of £1,000 available for entrepreneurs aged 30 and under.

It is open to applications now and the local authority says it is designed to offer incentives to create new jobs and economic opportunities, encourage innovation, boost productivity and growth, and support the recovery and renewal of the local economy following disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Business Gateway Shetland manager Kirsten Nicolson said: “This new financial support will be a welcome boost for new business start-ups.

“It will provide our business advisers with the opportunity to engage with more people at an early stage to assist with the transition into self-employment, and highlight the other business support available to them through Business Gateway as well as other support agencies.”

HIE’s Shetland area manager Katrina Wiseman said: “As part of our continued response to supporting economic recovery following the pandemic, we want to stimulate entrepreneurship and employment in Shetland.

“This grant will provide the incentive needed to support more young people to start their own businesses.”

Further information on the fund can be found here. Prospective applicants can contact Business Gateway Shetland by email on businessgateway@shetland.gov.uk or by phoning (01595) 707451.