A Highland estate agent has secured key financial support during the Covid crisis after fearing an “honest mistake” had cost him the money and possibly his business.
Tony Lister, whose business Re/Max has been affected by the pandemic, was concerned he had lost out on support from the Coronavirus Business Support Fund.
He was told his failure to properly register his business with Highland Council for the purposes of paying business rates rendered him ineligible for a £10,000 small business grant.
His plight was reported to Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart who put the merits of the case to council chief executive Donna Manson and to Scottish Government ministers.
Mr Stewart, who is also helping businesses denied insurance interruption insurance pay-outs during covid-19, said: “It took two attempts to get this decision overturned in which time another constituent contacted me with the same problem.
“The council said modifications were made to the qualifying criteria for the small business grant scheme which meant both constituents now qualify. I understood the council was following government guidelines but felt strongly no business should be penalised for admin errors, especially in the current climate.”
Mr Lister said he was initially concerned his application could be rejected, and his business forced to close down because he neglected to alert the council when he moved into his base at Fairways Business Park in Inverness last October.
He said: “I made an honest mistake. When I moved in to my premises I paid to have the lease registered. I honestly thought that meant my lease was being registered with Highland Council. But it wasn’t.
“But David worked tirelessly to help me to obtain the financial support I needed to secure my business going forward and it was reassuring to know that when he was needed he was there. I’ve since been able to concentrate on preparing our business for the post-Covid world.”
Mr Lister, who lives near Nairn, is now offering 360 degree video tours and guided virtual tours to prospective home buyers so social distancing rules can be maintained.
Donna Manson said: “As a council, listening to the public is key and working with all partners at all levels is so important in a national emergency.
“This is an example of how everyone is working together to get support to people who need it.”
