What can my business apply for through the small business grant scheme?
Please read the following guidance on eligible and ineligible spend:
If you are applying for machinery/equipment
Eligible spend:
- Machinery or equipment that helps your business to increase production, produce a new product or deliver a new service
- Machinery or equipment that will help to improve efficiency within a business
Examples:
- A food producer wanting to automate part of their process to increase production
- A tradesperson needing a new piece of equipment that will help them increase their range of services
Ineligible spend:
- Replacement of old machinery or equipment for new items but there will not be any added benefits of increased production or new products/services
- The purchase or lease of any vehicles
- The lease of any equipment or machinery
- Second hand equipment or machinery
If you are applying for adaptations to premises
Eligible spend:
- Extension, adaptations or improvement to premises which leads to increased staffing, new product or service development or increased efficiency
Examples:
- A manufacturing business creating a new product and needing a ‘clean’ operating area
- A business needing to provide an office area due to increased staffing levels
Ineligible spend:
- Any structural repairs
- Any works relating to utilities
- Any maintenance works
- Any statutory/regulatory works
- Any works to a premises on a short term lease
- Any purchase, rent, legal or insurance costs in relation to premises
Please note that any works may need to be authorized by a landlord, building control officer or planning authority.
If you are applying for marketing costs
Eligible spend:
- Website development including building a new website, inclusion of e-commerce elements
- A social media campaign to target specific customers
- Brand design including logos and campaign
Examples:
- A retail business wanting to sell their products online
- A new business wanting to create a brand for their products and services
Ineligible spend:
- Hosting costs, search engine optimization costs
- Licensing costs for off the shelf software
- Advertising costs
Please note the maximum amount for funding for a website will be 75% of £1,000.
FAQs
Can I apply if I received funding previously from the small business grant scheme?
You cannot apply for more funding through this scheme if you have received funding within the last three years.
My business is four years old, can I apply?
This scheme is for business who are 0-36 months old. If you are an older business then please contact the Business and Community team to find out what other funding may be available to you. Email business@richmondshire.gov.uk
Can stock be included as an eligible cost?
No. The purchase of stock that can then be sold by a business is not an eligible expenditure.
Do I need to have an appointment with a business growth advisor to apply for the scheme?
Yes. You can book an appointment through the business email address business@richmondshire.gov.uk. The appointments are free and take approximately one hour. The advisors can help with business plans, cash flow forecasts and talk through your business ideas.
Do I need to provide two quotes?
Yes. This helps you and the council assess value for money and ensure that you are not spending more than you need to.
Do I need to include a business plan?
Yes. Our business growth advisor can help with this. You can view a template for a business plan and cash flow forecasts on the GOV.UK website.
I want to apply for a website but I am unsure what the costs might be?
The costs of websites vary greatly, depending on the functionality you require. As an approximate guide £1,000 would cover the purchase of a quality website. The maximum grant that will be awarded via the Small Business Grant scheme for website development is £750.