Peterhead Digital Business Development Fund
As part of its response to the local economic consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown, Rediscover Peterhead has created an digital business development fund for levy paying businesses in Peterhead town centre.
The fund is made up of RP’s own resources plus a grant from the Resilience Fund made available to Business Improvement Districts from the Scottish Government.
Any levy paying business may apply, although priority will be given to locally owned independent businesses. This includes small locally owned chains, but the grant must be used primarily for the benefit of the Peterhead location.
The lockdown has seen a significant increase in the use of ecommerce by customers and businesses. Some analysts suggest that ecommerce has progressed by five years or more as result of the lockdown. Regardless of the exact number, increased use of digital commerce will be part of the new normal that emerges as the lockdown eases.
The purpose of this grant is to enable local businesses to develop their digital offer in the expectation that it will strengthen local businesses and make them more resilient post lockdown.
Who is it for?
In the town centre a significant number of businesses already make use of digital media. These include ecommerce platforms, Facebook and Instagram as channels for marketing and selling, information-based websites, and so on.
Many businesses make limited or no use of digital media, and some think it has no application to them. This fund is for all those businesses.
What is it for?
Pretty much anything that will help to make your business more resilient. It could be support from a consultant to help you get started, or to develop your existing offer. It might be for a contribution towards a piece of equipment, or web re/design, or online branding. It could be to purchase an application or a subscription to a service that will strengthen the business.
What we are looking for is evidence that the application makes sense in terms of the business, improve resilience and business success.
What is the process?
The intention is to keep it as simple as possible. There is a short application form which can be downloaded by clicking here.
Please complete and return this via email.
On receipt of the application you will be allocated a half day with a Business Gateway adviser.
They will talk to you about your plans and advise you on how to get the best out your application.
Successful applicants will be awarded a grant of up to £1000. Our preference is that local contractors/suppliers should be used to carry out the work, wherever possible.
The grant will be paid immediately on sight of invoices for work done.
Successful applicants may also be supported by Business Gateway’s Digital Boost programme. Where appropriate businesses might wish to apply for the Scottish Government’s interest-free Digital Development Loan Scheme.
Funds are limited. Please apply as soon as possible.
Any questions please contact Leslie Forsyth mail@rediscoverpeterhead.co.uk or 07741 628275
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