Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire enhances support to help businesses survive coronavirus crisis

As businesses across Aberdeenshire come to terms with the rapidly changing impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire is ensuring local business owners have access to crucial support at this time of national crisis.

Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire advisers quickly adapted their service to offer small and medium business owners one-to-one support via video or telephone calls.

All previously planned workshops are now available as webinars, and a suite of new resources have been developed to support businesses trying to adapt to new circumstances.

This includes support that is relevant for both start-ups and more established businesses such as a guide and tutorial on business continuity planning, advice on shifting work to the home environment, how best to use digital channels to communicate with customers and employees and support for those experiencing stress and anxiety - to name a few.

Business Gateway is also supporting the Scottish Government and local authorities to deliver grants that will help businesses deal with the impact of Covid-19.

These one-off grants, from the UK Government’s £1 billion Business support fund, are designed to help protect jobs, prevent business closures and promote economic recovery.

Business Gateway operations manager Aberdeen City and Shire, Roz Taylor commented: “We want to reassure business owners that although our doors are closed, Business Gateway is here to help them throughout the current crisis – whether that’s on the phone, a video call, a virtual workshop or through practical guidance on our website.

“We know that this situation is overwhelming, with a wealth of information being shared from Government level through to a variety of organisations.

"We are here to explain this information in simpler terms while offering advice on how best to forecast and future plan for when the time is right.

“We will continue to provide new digital resources, expand our delivery of virtual services and, crucially, give businesses reassurance and advice throughout the coronavirus outbreak.”

For practical advice and guidance to help protect your business from the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, contact Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire on https://www.bgateway.com/local-offices/aberdeen or 01224 946 539.

For further information on the Business Support Fund, please visit https://www.gov.scot/news/gbp-1-billion-business-support-fund-opens/.

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