Shropshire businesses urged to apply for funding before scheme ends – The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Small Business Grant Scheme is still open and Shropshire Council is encouraging more businesses to apply before the scheme ends. Grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 are available to purchase new equipment or make improvements to business premises.
This funding round will end in March 2025. Shropshire Council’s external funding and technical lead officer in the business growth and investment team, said: “The recent budget announced that there would be a continuation of the funding for another year, but we are not sure how much this will be or what it will fund. Consequently, we urge businesses to take advantage of the current pot by applying now. We would like as many applications before the Christmas break as possible to allow time for the awards to be made before March 2025.” Prospective applicants need to complete an online Expression of Interest (EOI) form and demonstrate how the grant will help create new employment opportunities, or develop new products, processes, or services within their business.
These EOIs are assessed, and any projects successfully passing this initial stage are invited to submit a full application. Details about how to apply and the EOI form can be found on the council’s UKSPF Expression of interest form guidance webpage. Anyone with any questions or queries about applying should email ukspfgrants@shropshire.gov.uk. Unfortunately, queries cannot be dealt with over the telephone.