Towns and BIDs Resilience and Recovery Fund 2020

Note: applications for this fund are now closed. The below information is intended for informational purposes only.

The £2 million Towns and BIDs Resilience and Recovery Fund, announced by the Scottish Government on 12th June 2020, is intended to support localised response activities contributing to town centre and high street resilience and recovery.

Overview

£1 million of this funding will be allocated directly to towns to address immediate priorities as lockdown restrictions are gradually eased. Please read below for more information and to apply.

A separate funding stream of £700,000 will be allocated to Business Improvement Districts. BIDs will be able to access the new funding from September 2020 when the current BIDs Resilience Fund expires. Information will be communicated via Scotland’s Improvement Districts’ website – https://improvementdistricts.scot/.

The remaining funding will be used for data analysis, communications and the development of a national media campaign to support town and high street recovery.

Towns and BIDs Resilience and Recovery Fund

Where you can agree a recovery strategy for your town with your local authority, the Towns Resilience and Recovery Fund exists to help resource your project delivery. Examples of relevant actions may include, but are not restricted to:

● Physical distancing and public health infrastructure: supply or installation of distancing markers, outdoor protection while queuing, protective screens, PPE, and hand sanitising equipment.

● ‘Open for Business’ maps or directories made available via local media and online portals; listing information on operating businesses and emergency contacts.

● Development of ‘virtual high streets’: digital markets, e-commerce platforms & apps for your town.

● Social media, print and local communications campaigns around a ‘Love Local’ message, and to help people feel safe and confident to engage with their town centre or high street.

● Actions or activities to help local authorities maintain and manage public spaces.

Eligibility

We are inviting applications from constituted groups with bank accounts and suitable governance controls, and where a recovery plan has been agreed in partnership with the local authority. Local authorities are also able to apply directly to the fund.

Constituted groups may include: Local Authorities, Community or Development Trusts, Town Centre Partnerships, Town Teams, Traders or Business Associations, Chambers of Commerce, Housing Associations, Council-led initiatives, Community Interest Companies, Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations, Community Councils, Community Benefit Societies or Charitable Community Groups.

Please contact Scotland's Towns Partnership at [email protected] if you are unsure if your organisation is eligible to apply.

Towns with Business Improvement Districts which are already benefiting from the COVID-19 BIDs Resilience Fund will only be eligible in exceptional circumstances for the £1m Towns Fund. BIDs will be able to access the new recovery funding from September 2020 when the current BIDs Resilience Fund expires.

Process and Timeline

Scotland’s Towns Partnership will assess and make recommendations on applications to Scottish Government for final agreement before awards are made. Funds will be allocated on a rolling basis. Please note the following dates:

Monday 15th June - Applications open.
Friday 24th July, 5pm - Final closing date for applications.

Please note to apply as early as possible once your project has been agreed with your Local Authority, as depending on applications received, the total fund may be allocated before the 24th July deadline is reached.