New £1m fund to support town centres and promote online businesses

The Scottish Government has launched a new £1m fund as part of efforts to support town centres and promote online businesses.

As part of the Scotland Loves Local scheme, businesses will be able to access grants of between £500 and £5,000 with the aim of encouraging people to spend money in their community.

The funding is being provided by the Scottish Government, and administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership.

Grants can be put towards providing safe shopping information for residents and tourists, the installation of public health infrastructure such as protective screens, physical distancing markers, hand sanitising equipment and PPE.

Chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership Phil Prentice said: “This is an exceptional opportunity for local communities – a chance to get the funding that will unlock some brilliant creativity.”

Communities secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We know money spent locally is more likely to stay in the local economy and support local jobs.

“The Scotland Loves Local campaign encourages people to think how they can safely support this.

“This fund will help initiatives supporting businesses, such as projects to encourage safe shopping, business and leisure opportunities, promoting and advertising local providers of online shopping or enhancing visitor appeal.”