Deadline: 13-Oct-21
The Chichester District Council is accepting applications for its Enabling Grant Scheme to help improve the efficiency of independent local businesses, maximize the potential for growth, and assist new businesses with start-up costs.
Funding Information
- Capital Projects – up to a maximum of 50% match funded and a contribution of no more than £2000.
- To enable small businesses to purchase, for example;
- items of capital equipment
- training packages
- additional marketing advice
- fixtures and fittings to improve premises
- To enable small businesses to purchase, for example;
- Website or social media projects – up to a maximum of 50% match funded and a contribution of no more than £1500.
- To enable small businesses, for example;
- to update existing websites to be more accessible across all devices
- to enable e-commerce
- to establish a new website to reach more customers
- to establish or improve their digital presence through the use of social media platforms
- To enable small businesses, for example;
- Start-up Grant Award – a maximum contribution of £500 from the Council (non-match funded)
- To enable a new start–up business, for example;
- to purchase items of capital equipment
- to purchase training packages
- to improve premises, fixture and fittings
- to develop a high-quality and engaging website or social media presence
- To enable a new start–up business, for example;
Eligibility Criteria
- Businesses who have received an enabling grant previously will not be eligible to apply for this grant within two years of receipt of the previous grant payment. Businesses cannot have more than two enabling grants within the last five year period.
- Businesses applying for the start-up grant award must have only been trading for a maximum of 18 months. Evidence of this must be provided with the application form.
- Businesses must be based in the Chichester District and employ no more than 25 paid employees (full time equivalents).
- Businesses that are registered separately at differing premises but share the same directors and are managed together will only be eligible to make one application and will also be subject to a maximum of two enabling grants within the last five year period, from date of grant payment. I.e. a group of businesses, managed by the same Director(s), will be seen as one business.
- A grant cannot be sought for retrospective projects or expenditure or for ongoing costs. A completed Grant Agreement must be signed and returned prior to any work being undertaken or expenditure being incurred.
- Applications must be completed online, with all sections completed and all relevant quotes attached.
- A minimum of two independent quotes must be provided for website and social media development activities. All other applications require at least one quote and should clearly state the cost of equipment or service being requested. Quotes should be valid for at least 3 Months.
- Quotes must be on formal letter headed paper and the supplier/provider must be based in the Chichester District; if you are unable to use a supplier/provider in the district, reasons for this must be stated on the application form. Quotes for capital equipment can be a screenshot but the supplier details and product description and cost must be clearly stated.
- If the supplier/provider is a family member or has an interest in your business, this must be stated on the application form and a further quote must be provided by another supplier/provider.
- After the deadline, all valid applications will be evaluated by their Economic Development Officers and a decision will be made as to whether or not the application can move onto the next stage of approval.
- The overall decision process may take up to six weeks, from the closing date.
- An applicant/business must have no disputes with the Council.
- Though the Council will consider a variety of applications, they must meet the criteria and the Council reserves the right to reject applications
- If applying for an upgrade to an existing website, the website must be at least one year old.
- On completion of projects, they will require evidence of work carried out and submission of paid invoices/receipts. They will need to see proof that the invoice(s) have been paid.
- The Council’s Economic Development Officers may visit/contact to verify details of the project.
- Applicants must provide feedback on the effectiveness of the project, as and when requested
Criteria
They are particularly interested in receiving applications which demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:
- Contribution to the local economy
- e.g. Local supply chain – the use of local suppliers
- Protecting local jobs/creating local jobs
- Reducing Environmental impact
- Protecting the environment
- Reducing carbon footprint
- Innovation
- Improving productivity
- New ways of working or offering your goods or services to your customer
- Commercial viability – e.g. the proposed expenditure will help to sustain the longer term prospects for the business.
For more information, visit https://www.chichester.gov.uk/enablinggrantscheme?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo