Business Innovation Grant
The Business Innovation Support Scheme is designed to support our local independent businesses in every sector, and across the whole district, by stimulating innovation, economic growth, creating new jobs, increasing productivity and enhancing the visual appearance of retail shopping areas, thus making them more attractive to shoppers and visitors to increase footfall.
Grants available
There are 2 new grants:
• Growth and Increased Productivity Fund
• High Street Premises Enhancement Fund
Eligibility
Grants are only available to businesses based within the Uttlesford District.
Eligible businesses may only apply for one stream of funding.
Matched funding
Maximum grants are up to £5,000.
The minimum application value is £500 and any grant will need to be match funded (i.e. if the grant is £5,000 you will need to include £5,000 of your own money).
Your business will be required to pay the supplier for the full cost of the project before claiming the grant element. Therefore, funds must be in place to cover all costs prior to submitting the application.
Apply
How to apply for the grants.
Apply to the Growth and Increased Productivity Fund
This scheme is aimed at providing support to businesses in overcoming barriers to growth and expansion, including increasing productivity, increased commercial floorspace and/or create new jobs or apprenticeships.
How to apply
You can apply by using our online form.
Applications will close when the funding is fully allocated.
Before you start
Read the Growth and Increased Productivity Fund: guidance for applicants.
Template documents
You will need to include with your application a business plan and cash flow forecast using our template documents.
Download a business plan template (PDF) [451KB]
Download a 12-month cash flow forecast template (gi.ui.mediatype.spreadsheets) [67KB] including a profit and loss statement
Other information to include
You will also need to provide other information, including:
- your contact details including name, position, email and phone number
- he business details including name, trading name, address, web sites, any company number, VAT or tax reference numbers
- the number of full and part time employees
- the intended spend and details of what for, should any grant money be awarded
- the business bank account details, bank name, address, sort code and account number for payment of any grants. Grant payments cannot be made to personal bank accounts
You will also be asked to upload the following documents, please have them ready:
- a business plan
- 12 month cash flow forecast and profit & loss statement
- latest accounts (existing business only)
- 3 quotes for any single item costing over £2,500
- confirmation of any necessary approvals, if required, for example planning permissions, building regulations
Apply for the High Street Premises Enhancement Fund
This scheme provides grants for commercial businesses in our town and village centres to improve their shop front.
How to apply
You can apply by using our online form.
Applications will close when the funding is fully allocated.
Before you start
Read the High Street Premises Enhancement Fund: guidance for applicants.
You will need to provide other information, including:
- your contact details including name, position, email and phone number
- the business details including name, trading name, address, web sites, any company number, VAT or tax reference numbers
- the number of full and part time employees
- the business bank account details, bank name, address, sort code and account number for payment of any grants. Grant payments will not be made to personal bank accounts
You will also be asked to upload the following documents, please have them ready:
- details of the proposed projects including a current photo of the premises and any drawings/plans showing the proposed changes
- a breakdown of costs
- 3 quotes for any single item costing over £2,500
- confirmation of any necessary approvals, if required, for example planning permissions, building regulations
After you have applied
Once your online application is received we will acknowledge receipt of your grant application via an email which will contain a copy of the application form.
If you do not receive an email from us, please contact business@uttlesford.gov.uk as soon as possible to check your application has been received.
Grant awards
Total funding for the Business Innovation Grant Scheme will be £50,000.
It is unlikely that there will be enough funding for every application received, some applicants may be offered a lower level of grant, and some will be unsuccessful.
