Spelthorne Council have launched a series of new grants and initiatives aimed at helping local businesses overcome the challenges they are facing and grow their business.

As part of the strategy to support local businesses through the challenges faced with the Covid Pandemic, Spelthorne Council Economic Development team have been utilising the business grant funding in a number of ways.

Initially through 2020 and 2021 the fund has been used in a series of Discretionary Grants aimed at survival. These grants have been paid directly to businesses to help cover losses and fixed costs so that they can survive the downturn in trade that the pandemic has caused.

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Equipment Purchase Grant

In November 2021 a Equipment Purchase grant was launched which was aimed at helping cover up to 90% of the cost of new equipment which would help businesses become more resilient and increase their ability to generate business.

This grant was very popular and so we have re launched it for those that missed out last time.

This grant is for any Spelthorne based business who needs to buy new equipment or replace old equipment to help them grow and become more resilient.

You will be required to contribute 10% of the cost of the equipment yourself and the amount you can apply for will be determined by the size of your company and how many employees you have;

• Under 5 employees = Up to £5k grant
• Under 10 employees = Up to £10k grant
• Over 10 employees = Up to £20k grant

(Please note higher grant awards may be considered in exceptional circumstances)

Shopfront Grant

This grant is for any retail business that can demonstrate that they need their shopfront upgraded or replaced.

The grant includes;

• Shopfronts and Facias
• Security System
• Lighting
• Display system

The grant will cover up to 90% of the cost of the work and will be based on quotes received from professional suppliers. (SUPPORT LOCAL – SBF Members who are local suppliers can be found on our directory listing HERE)

The two grants have been combined into one application form: CLICK HERE to apply for the ARG Equipment Purchase or Shopfront Grant:

This grant is now open between the 21^st January until midnight on the 13^th February.

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ARG 5 Omicron Grant

The primary principle of this grant is to help businesses affected by Omnicron variant in the Hospitality and Leisure sectors, however this grant will also be open for any business that has not previously applied and received a grant.

This Grant scheme is to support businesses that;

1)Offer in-person services, where the main service and activity takes place in non rate-paying premises, in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors.

2) Are non rate paying business that has not previously applied for / received a grant and have relatively high, ongoing and fixed property-related costs and

can demonstrate that they have suffered a significant fall in income due to the COVID-19 crisis

Businesses that have not received any previous grant funding will be considered for additional financial support through the ARG grant.

CLICK HERE for the ARG5 Omicron Grant / ARG Application:

This grant is now open between the 21^st January until midnight on the 13^th February.

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Grant funded support services

FREE Website provision

This initiative is for any business that does not have a website or needs a new website to help them compete with online competitors and improve their online visibility to increase sales.

Businesses can apply for a website which may include:

• up to 5 pages
• URL
• Domain name
• Hosting
• Security & maintenance
• 12 months hosting
• Merchant account
• Social media marketing.

Spelthorne Council have contracted the services of local web developers to build bespoke websites for local businesses who successfully apply through this scheme.

FREE Digital Media Training

This training course is aimed at helping business owners with practical advice and support, and show them how to use digital tools to increase their profitability and exposure with the following benefits;

•           Increased discoverability of businesses for the connected consumer

•           Increase online presence and become more competitive

•           Develop multichannel expertise

•           Find and Engage with new customers

•           Increase customer base

•           Widen geographical reach

•           Access new markets

•           Improve sales and profits

•           Measureable KPI’s

FREE 1-2-1 Business Coaching

This is a service to help businesses overcome issues, plan and build a strategy to grow their business in 2022 and beyond.

This service will offer your business valuable business coaching and advisory services and is applicable for all small businesses from someone who is thinking of starting a business to more established businesses offering support in the following areas;

•           business planning

•           marketing strategy

•           sales and lead generation

•           budgeting and forecasting

•           cost control and profitability

•           organisational structure

•           governance

•           management and leadership

•           exit strategy and planning

•           financing and funding

How to apply for Support Services