Applications for the UKSPF Small Business Grant Scheme will open again on 7 May

Following an overwhelming response in March, this highly successful grant scheme will open again for applications on 7 May 2024.

The UKSPF Small Business Grant Scheme offers grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 to purchase new equipment or make improvements to business premises.

Gary Spence, Shropshire Council’s external funding and technical lead officer in the business growth and investment team, said:

“Since we first launched the scheme, we’ve received nearly 80 Expressions of Interest (EOI) for grants, and 61 of those were asked to submit a full application.

“We must adhere to a rigorous and robust selection process because we are delivering public funding, but our aim is to help as many Shropshire businesses as possible.

“Applications have come from a wide range of small businesses with a diverse range of requests. For example, among other things, we have funded a swimming pool hoist for a tourism company, a heat press for a workwear company, agility equipment for dogs and helped towards improvements to a café.”

Businesses from one to 49 employees can apply for a grant if their business is physically located in the Shropshire Council local authority area.

Applicants will need to demonstrate how the grant will help them create new employment opportunities, or develop new products, processes, or services within their business. They will also be expected to match-fund the amount of grant applied for by at least 50% of the total investment.

All applicants will need to complete a simple online Expression of Interest (EOI) form which will go forward for assessment. Projects successfully passing this initial stage will then be invited to submit a full application.

Mark Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said:

“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is helping to provide a varied range of support for businesses across Shropshire. The success of this grant just proves that the funding is being targeted in the right way and meeting the needs of businesses in the county.”

Details about how to apply and the EOI form can be found at: https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/ukspfcapgrant

Anyone with any questions or queries about applying should email ukspfgrants@shropshire.gov.uk Unfortunately, queries cannot be dealt with over the telephone.

Further information

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

For more information about the many projects being funded through UKSPF in Shropshire, visit:  https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/uk-shared-prosperity-projects/

Individuals and businesses can also attend a free event – the Shropshire Expo –  on 10 May 2024 to meet representatives from all the UKSPF projects and find out how they could benefit. Find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-shropshire-expo-business-support-skills-championing-your-community-tickets-881345356687?aff=oddtdtcreator