Business Assistance

South Ayrshire Council offers a range of business development activities and projects designed to help local businesses, including the following grants and funding opportunities: 

• AMBITION programme
• Business Gateway
• South Ayrshire Council Collaborate for Growth Fund
• Business Loans Scotland

AMBITION Programme

Our AMBITION programme supports job creation in South Ayrshire. It's for anyone with the ambition to employ, be employed or become self-employed, and is for every type of business.

We can help you whatever stage you're at on your business journey, whether you've got an idea to start something new, are in the early stages of setting up or are already well established. Grants are also available to those who meet the criteria.

For more details visit the AMBITION programme website.

Business Gateway

Through Business Gateway, we have a team of Advisers on hand to offer practical information, help and advice to existing South Ayrshire businesses or people planning on starting a business in South Ayrshire, including details on business support funding.

To speak to an Adviser call 01292 616 349. Our Advisers are on hand: Monday - Thursday, 9am to 5pm; Friday 9am to 4pm.

Or you can find out more at Business Gateway

If you're thinking about starting a business, visit www.bgateway.com/planning-to-start

South Ayrshire Collaborate for Growth Fund

This scheme helps businesses take advantage of the efficiencies created by working collaboratively. The aim of the scheme is to support the development of co-operative enterprises in South Ayrshire which can create enhanced economic impact through collective working.

All collaborative projects which can demonstrate increased sales revenues from outwith the South Ayrshire area, improve sector efficiency or increase local employment opportunities will be considered.

To find out more or to receive an application pack please contact: Rachel.McCallum@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

There are no deadlines for applications.

Business Loans Scotland

Are you looking to introduce new processes or equipment to your business? Or maybe planning an expansion? Have you raised all the cash you can from your own resources and the banks, but there's still a funding gap? South Ayrshire Council might be able to help gap fund your project through our partners at Business Loans Scotland. Our primary focus is on businesses engaged in the Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Consumer (B2C) categories.

We operate loan funding from Business Loans Scotland to encourage the creation and growth of South Ayrshire businesses to ensure that good, commercially viable proposals do not fail from a lack of access to finance. Additionally, we want to support and encourage the creation, development and growth of Scottish businesses, helping them to trade regionally, nationally and internationally.

Through BLS, we can offer loans from £25,000 to £250,000, with loans of up to £50,000 typically unsecured. The interest rate is currently fixed at 11% with no additional fees or charges and a repayment period of up to 5 years. 

For more details, please see Business Loans Scotland.

For our full list of business support projects and packages, including Net Zero and Supplier Development Programme, please see Business Support - South Ayrshire Council (south-ayrshire.gov.uk)