Shropshire's small businesses urged to apply for grants as deadline approaches

Small businesses across Shropshire are being encouraged to apply for support grants before a funding scheme closes to new applications on January 10. 

Grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 are available for small and medium sized businesses that have been trading for more than six months. 

Over £12 million has been allocated to Shropshire from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which the last government created with £2.6 billion to invest in initiatives that improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK. This includes the UKSPF Small Business Grant Scheme in Shropshire. 

The scheme helps businesses employing between one and 49 workers with up to 50 per cent towards the cost of purchasing new equipment or making improvements to their premises. 

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.

63 Shropshire businesses have already been approved - with nearly £100,000 funding awarded in the latest round of applications. With plenty of grant funding left to be allocated, South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson is urging local businesses to explore the support available.

Stuart Anderson said: “The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, created by the last government, has helped people across the country to access new opportunities. More than £12 million has so far been allocated to Shropshire for a range of initiatives, including the Small Business Grant Scheme. 

"With funding still available, I would encourage businesses across South Shropshire to apply for the support with the purchase capital equipment or to undertake improvements to business premises before January 10.

"Businesses from one to 49 employees can apply for a grant if their business is physically located in the Shropshire Council local authority area. They will also be expected to match-fund the amount of grant applied for by at least 50 per cent of the total investment."

Details about how to apply and the Expression of Interest (EOI) form can be found at https://next.shropshire.gov.uk/ukspf-capgranteoi. Anyone with any questions or queries about applying should email ukspfgrants@shropshire.gov.uk