Close Contact Services Fund in Scotland

In line with the commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth and the Coronavirus (COVID-19): fair work statement, the Scottish Government has allocated funding to support businesses in close contact settings who are impacted by the requirement for physical distancing and capacity limits and advice to reduce contact within indoor setting that came into force from 9 December 2021 to 24 January 2022

The Close Contact Services Fund will provide financial support to businesses in the close contact service sectors detailed below affected by these restriction measures.

The Close Contact Services Fund will be administered by a delivery partner on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Who is eligible

The Close Contact Services Fund will provide support to businesses in the close contact service sectors who own/rent premises with a non-domestic rates account (NDR), and self-employed close contact service individuals, impacted by the restrictions and guidance introduced from 9 December 2021 to 24 January and where they are registered as one of the following:

• beauty service
• hairdressing and hair removal service
• spa and wellness service

And provide any of the following services:

• hair washing
• trimming and cutting
• setting
• dyeing
• tinting
• waving
• straightening
• waxing
• threading
• laser hair removal
• shaving and beard trimming
• facials
• nail treatments
• manicure
• pedicure
• exfoliation
• dermatology & skin care treatments
• make-up
• lash extensions
• spray/application tanning by a person

Application Process/How to apply

More details on how to apply will be published here shortly.

Level of Grant Award

The grant is a one-off payment at the rate of:

· £1,000 for self-employed businesses

· £1,500 for NDR registered premised business owner

Next Steps

More details on how to apply will be published here shortly.