Falkirk Delivers pushes for maximum COVID grants for town centre businesses

The Scotland Loves Local scheme was launched to enable visitors and residents to safely shop, eat and relax within town centres.

Grants of between £500 and £5000 are being handed out as part of the initiative and Falkirk Delivers is pulling out all the stops to secure funding for the full area.

The Business Improvement District (BID) has been making applications on behalf of Falkirk, Bo'ness, Grangemouth, Stenhousemuir and Denny and is aiming to land the maximum grant for each – a strategy it believes is “critical” given the economic uncertainty surrounding UK high streets.

Elaine Grant, Falkirk Delivers manager, said: “We’ve gone out to ask businesses what they would like us to use that money for - from PPE to marketing.

“We’re waiting to see what the businesses say as they might have creative ideas. I think it’s critical that we grab any chance of funding we get with both hands.

“It could provide additional support at this difficult time because simple things like PPE can be quite costly for the businesses.

These are all of the high street chains which have closed so far in 2020

“We’ve delivered sanitiser and face masks to the businesses and we’ve been out across the district.

“We’re also going to be launching a digital fund and a shop frontage improvement fund for the town centre so businesses can improve their digital footprint and their stores.

“All of the businesses have been very grateful for the additional help.”

Colin Green, owner of Rialto in Vicar Street, Falkirk, is one of many who appreciate the work the BID has put in throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

The difficulties the bar has faced since restrictions on playing music were introduced have left Mr Green believing he would’ve been better off shutting up shop until such measures were lifted.

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He said: “We’re looking for support even if we have to close as you’re just incurring costs that are impossible to meet with such a reduced capacity.

“The BID has worked really hard for all the bars, restaurants and other businesses. Elaine Grant has been brilliant.

“She was instrumental in the outside seating and other packages that are going to follow.”

Rialto’s alcohol licence has meant it’s had to stay shut, except for pizza deliveries and collections, since early October.

However, Mr Green revealed the true blow and said: “It was the rule on music that was very hard to accept.

“Music has always been the lifeblood of what we’ve done. We have a big connection with local bands and DJs but without music we’ve had to make it work without the key ingredient.

“You’ve got to adapt and change and I’m all for the idea that with great adversity comes great opportunity but it’s a bit like having one hand tied behind your back when the lifeblood is removed.

“Having that place to connect with music – we need that back.

“The period in between the end of lockdown and more recently was pretty pointless for us. We would've been better to close.

“The ‘no music’ restriction, along with the reduced hours and numbers, made it very hard.

“People come out for the hustle and bustle and a bit of connection with others but that’s not possible so it’s not viable.”

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