Business Support

This section of the website provides access to a wide range of business support and information sources. Some Business Mentoring is provided directly by members of the Chamber team. Other support is available through a number of partner organisations, listed below.

Business Mentoring

Business Mentoring is a service that is provided through the partnership of Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) Scottish Enterprise (SE), the European Social Fund (ESF). The strategic aims of the service are to contribute to the improved performance of Scottish businesses and the economy by assisting and encouraging more businesses that are seeking to develop and grow, both domestically and internationally.

For more information click here.

Business Guides

As a business owner you are constantly faced with decisions that will affect the future of your business. We have developed a number of free business guides to help you think about the issues you face and provide a helping hand through the economic downturn.

First Employee Grant Scheme

ABERDEEN CITY & SHIRE FIRST EMPLOYEE GRANT

The Aberdeen City & Shire First Employee Grant scheme provides advice and support for businesses taking on their first employee.
A grant of £1,000 is available to enable employers to set aside time and resources to induct and train their first employee.

Payment of the grant will be made in two stages, with 50% being paid when the employee is in place, the balance paid in six months, following verification of continued employment.

Businesses must meet the following criteria before an application for assistance
will be considered.

CRITERIA
1. This must be the first employee of the business.
2. The employee must work a minimum of 30 hours per week.
3. The employee must not be a partner or investor of the business.
4. Systems must be in place to deduct National Insurance and PAYE.
5. The business must be able to afford to take on an employee.
6. The awarding of a grant must not be detrimental to other local businesses.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Businesses applying for assistance will be asked to complete an application form
and provide evidence to satisfy compliance with the above criteria.

Grant awards are discretionary and retrospective applications will not be accepted.
For a copy of the application form and any enquiries on the scheme please contact ;

Sally Collinson, Aberdeenshire Council -Tel: 01224 664771
E-mail: sally.collinson@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Scams

Local businesses have recently reported a number of scams. We have listed some examples below; this list will be updated regularly.

If you have any related queries or are unsure who to contact our Information Centre who will be happy to assist. Call The Business Gateway on 0845 609 661 or businessgateway@scotent.co.uk

Please note that local trading standards officers should be contacted via the Consumer Direct helpline. This service also cover scams directed at businesses.

Consumer Direct Helpline 08454 04 05 06

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/

Funding

Funding For Business

The main areas where funding may be available in the Grampian area include:

innovation
research
charity work
community projects (not-for-profit)

Please note that many schemes available in England or other parts of Scotland are not necessarily available in the Grampian area. For further advice on your specific case, please follow relevant links. More ............

The Scottish Government can provide financial assistance to new and existing businesses in Scotland.

Following a review of its grant scheme structure in 2007, the Government can offer direct financial support through its Investment and Innovation Grants which could help develop your business.

As well as the main schemes highlighted on this page, you can access links to other forms of support.