Ayrshire businesses who work in the wedding sector could be eligible for their share of a £25 million fund launched this week.

Applications can be made from Thursday, January 28, offering one-off grants of up to £25,000 for businesses in the sector impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The grants are available to everyone from wedding venues, photographers, caterers, florists and suppliers.

Irvine Times: Wedding photographer

Finance Minister Kate Forbes said: "This £25 million fund will ensure one-off grants of up to £25,000 reach eligible business as quickly as possible and there is no equivalent fund in other parts of the UK.

"The pandemic has had a severe impact on Scotland’s wedding sector, and we know that the current restrictions, while entirely necessary in our fight against COVID-19, continue to take their toll on the sector.

"I’d encourage all those who think they are eligible to find out more about applying – we want to help as many businesses survive this pandemic as we can."

The Scottish Wedding Industry Alliance’s (SWIA) Co-Founder Caroline Inchyra said: "On behalf of the Scottish wedding industry, we are delighted that the sector has secured £25 million funding from the Scottish Government. 

"This funding will give renewed hope to the many businesses who have been unable to operate in a viable way for almost a year.

"The SWIA looks forward to a continued positive working relationship with Scottish Government as the wedding industry navigates a path through the most difficult trading conditions this highly resilient sector has ever faced."