Coastal businesses and voluntary sector organisations affected by COVID-19 will benefit from a £7.2 million Scottish Crown Estate fund which is devolved to councils.
The 26 councils in Scotland with coastlines can use any unallocated funds to offer direct support to struggling coastal enterprises and organisations after agreement by the Scottish government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA).
These funds are in addition to the £2.2 billion package of business support already announced by the Scottish government. “By widening the remit for the use of Scottish Crown Estate revenues we are enabling local authorities to directly support local coastal businesses, including third sector organisations, facing the full force of this economic shock,” commented Environment and Climate Change Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham.
“We have written to local authorities to encourage them to look at ways they can use these funds, where required, to help hard-pressed businesses and organisations to get through this challenging period,” she added.
Councillor Steven Heddle, COSLA’S Environment and Economy spokesperson, added, “This letter is a timely reminder that councils play a key role in supporting local businesses and their coastal communities, especially in these exceptionally challenging times and that there is scope for funding from Crown Estate net revenues to contribute to this.”
