UKSPF Small Business Grant Scheme reopens for applications

The UKSPF Small Business Grant Scheme will open again for applications on Monday 9 September 2024.

This grant scheme offers grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 to purchase new equipment or make improvements to business premises.

One of the previous grant recipients is Beth Heath of Quarry Kitchen & Shropshire Ice Cream Ltd. The grant helped her to diversify into a new market.

Beth said:

“We had taken over the Quarry Café and wanted to transform it into a vibrant space that celebrated local food and drink. We’ve used the grant to renovate the café by recladding and replacing the walls. The result is a bright, clean, and attractive eating area that has achieved a 5-star food hygiene rating.  We’ve also been able to employ a number of local people. None of this would have been possible without the grant.”

Since March the team have received 218 expressions of interest (EOIs) with 39 projects from across Shropshire going forward to full application. To date £250,000 has been awarded to help small businesses grow and expand.

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

“This grant continues to be popular. On each of the previous occasions we have invited applications we’ve been forced to close the process within a week because of the overwhelming response.

“We ask businesses to note this date and complete their EOIs right away to avoid disappointment. We’d also like to remind potential applicants to check the criteria both in terms of their eligibility, and what can – and cannot – be funded before applying.”

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.

As in previous rounds all applicants will need to complete the initial online EOI form. This will be assessed, and successful projects will then be invited to submit a full and more detailed application.

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

“It’s gratifying to see the positive results of this grant. Its popularity proves that this is exactly the sort of support that our small businesses are seeking.

“The funding we have been able to access on their behalf is truly helping us to deliver on our promise to create a healthy economy in Shropshire.”

Details about how to apply and the EOI form can be found at: UKSPF Expression of interest form guidance | Shropshire Council

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 provided £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. From this fund, £15m was acquired for projects across Shropshire.

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