Business Innovation Grant

As part of Uttlesford District Council's Economic Recovery Plan, we are helping to deliver sustainable economic growth by supporting businesses within our district and by protecting and growing our town centres as economic hubs and increasing tourist spend.

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 (this grant is now closed)
• 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

Funding has now been exhausted and we are no longer accepting applications for this grant.

Before you start

Read the Guidance for applicants - Growth & Increased Productivity Fund.

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.

Start now

Applications will close when the funding is fully allocated.

Before you start

Read the Guidance for applicants - High Street Premises Enhancement Fund.

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.