An extension of the Small Business Gateway (2001), it was introduced in July 2003 and is currently delivered by 12 Lead Local Authorities in Lowland Scotland and 6 in the Highlands and Islands.
Responsibility for management of the Business Gateway contracts was transferred to Local Government from Scottish Enterprise on 1 April 2008.
The purpose of this element of the service is to ensure that Business Gateway services are able to: These interventions include: Business Gateway recovery/sustainability advisory support; expert help and specialist support; localised bespoke training workshops; and networking events to inequality groups.
Business Gateway providers in Scotland are a mix of contractors and Local Authority in house operations.
The service is overseen by a Management Group which is currently (Jan 2018) being restructured and benefits from a national operations unit based in Edinburgh.