By Karen Peattie

An Aberdeen-based creative design agency that set up a community website to help local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic has secured five-figure Government funding to drive growth of the platform, enabling it to expand into Glasgow.

Dunclyde launched Open Sign in Aberdeen in response to demand from businesses across broad range of sectors for a single, easy-to-use platform to list their opening hours and other key information including entry requirements, contact details and guidelines for Covid-19 safety.

The firm worked with Business Gateway to apply for grants and funding to support the growth of the platform, including the Innovate UK Fast Start Competition Grant – a competition that attracted over 8,600 applicants with Dunclyde one of just six other Scottish companies to be selected.

Its £42,197 Government grant will allow Dunclyde to roll out the platform across Scotland and the UK.

The firm also received £2,500 worth of free billboard advertising from Ocean Marketing at Union Square Shopping Centre in Aberdeen during lockdown.

Dunclyde accessed a range of Business Gateway services and received strategic advice ahead of its launch by Mr Clydesdale and Eilidh Dunsire in 2018. Scotland’s national business service has also facilitated client introductions and given advice on financial restructuring, exporting, and funding.

Director Daniel Clydesdale said: “We have a well-established relationship with Business Gateway and have benefited greatly from the support we have received since the early days of the business. The advice has increased our client base, enhanced the profile of our business, and provided enormous value for us during the pandemic.”

“Business Gateway highlighted the opportunity to apply for the grant and gave us advice and encouragement along the way. To be in a position to support local businesses and expand our platform is incredibly exciting.”

Aisha Kasim, Business Gateway adviser, said that the Open Sign initiative “provided a vital lifeline for many other small and local businesses across the country during difficult conditions”. He added: “With this funding, Dunclyde and the team are in a strong position for growth across the UK.

“With so many funding and grant opportunities available, I would encourage all businesses to get in touch with us to see if there is something that might work for them.”