SMALL businesses in Clydebank which share properties but do not pay business rates are now being urged to apply for grants to help with the impact of Covid-19.

The extension to the Small Business Grant Fund will apply to firms occupying shared office spaces, business incubators or shared industrial units and who lease the space from a registered, rate-paying landlord.

Separately, eligibility has also been extended to companies occupying multiple premises with a cumulative value of more than £51,000.

Eligible businesses will be able to apply to their local authority for grants of up to £10,000.

Gil Paterson, Clydebank’s MSP, said: “We want to make sure that the people and firms empowering West Dunbartonshire’s economy are supported as much as possible.

“I would encourage the owners of any eligible small businesses which need support to apply through West Dunbartonshire Council during the next five weeks.

“I am looking forward to the private sector reopening in the coming weeks and months - soon we will get a return to business as usual.”