Business Start-Up Grant Scheme

A fund of £360,000 was made available to start up businesses in Aberdeenshire by offering grants of:

  • £1,000 – if there is no business premises
  • £3,000 – if taking on premises

Please note only one grant per business is allowed.

This scheme has been funded by the Scottish Government Local Economic COVID Recovery Fund (LACER).

The scheme is currently closed for applications. We are reviewing all applications in the order they are received.

View the Business Start-Up Grant Scheme privacy notice (PDF 168KB).

Find out about:

Eligibility

To be eligible businesses must:

  • Be a sole trader, partnership or Limited Company
  • Be based within the Aberdeenshire Council area
  • Be engaged with the Business Gateway service and have a named advisor
  • Commence trading as a micro, small or medium enterprise (up to 250 employees)
  • Not be trading, registered or have sold goods prior to 1st July 2022
  • Demonstrate a viable and thought through business idea
  • Be leasing or purchase a commercial property for the £3,000 grant - home businesses do not qualify

Businesses that aren’t eligible

Businesses part of a group or franchise are unable to apply unless they will have an autonomous cost and profit centre and reasonability in their own day to day management and accounts.

We are unable to award any grant payment to any organisation where the business owner or director within the business has been disqualified as a director or business owner. We are unable to award any grant payment where the business owner or director within the business that has been on the AIB Register of Insolvencies.

No application will be approved if out with the council boundary. If the business is taking on premises these must be registered for Business Rates in Aberdeenshire. If the business is home-based it must be located within Aberdeenshire, and be registered for Council Tax in Aberdeenshire. UK residents and those ‘granted leave to remain’ in the UK are eligible to apply for support. Passport or a letter from the Home Office would be required.

What you need to provide

Along with a completed application form, businesses need to provide:

  • Evidence of trading such as a business bank statement dated after 1st July 2022 showing at least 1 business related item paid in or out (personal bank statements will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances)
  • Evidence of registration in the form of Companies house number completed on the application form (not before 1st July 2022) for limited companies, or an attached copy of HMRC UTR letter for sole traders
  • A business bank account that must link to the name in your application and documentation
  • Proof of identity, for example photographic driving licence or a passport
  • Proof of address (recent council tax bill or utility bill)
  • 12 months cashflow projections - a template can be provided by your Business Gateway advisor 

We might ask for additional supporting evidence. The business can also provide any additional files they wish to support their application.

Additional requirement for £3,000 grant

Businesses applying for the £3,000 grant need to provide a copy of of property lease or property purchase for a commercial property. If the business has been purchased, proof of ownership must be provided.

What happens after application

All applications will be assessed and verified against the grant criteria by Aberdeenshire Council, Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire.

If your application is successful, a formal letter by email will be sent to you. This letter will confirm any specific conditions attached to your award.

Conditions of getting the grant

Businesses will be required to report back on progress. They will be contacted to provide the following information within 12 months of the award date:

  • Numbers of full-time jobs created (equivalent to 37 hours per week)
  • Numbers of new products and/or services created
  • Business earnings
  • Number of business premises
  • Trade abroad (exporting)

Aberdeenshire Council and Business Gateway reserve the right to publicise the scheme's support offered to your business. However, we will contact you in advance of any releases.

The grant payment is 100% and no part funding is required. The grant must be used for intended outlined business purposes otherwise the council has the right to reclaim the grant.

Appeals

The business can appeal an unsuccessful application by submitting a written request to appeal to startup@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

The application will then be reviewed by a second member of the council.

Contact

Please email startup@aberdeenshire.gov.uk for more information.