Business Support funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
This Fund closed for applications at 5pm on 4th September 2024. You can no longer submit a new application. Fully complete applications submitted before this deadline will be considered on a first come first served basis. We will fund as many applications as we can from the limited remaining budget. If you have recently applied, please be aware that the fund is oversubscribed and we may be unable to approve your application. You should receive email notification of the availability of funding for your application by 11th September 2024. If additional funding becomes available we will provide an update as quickly as possible.
Grants from £125 up to £1,000 are available, payable at 50% of approved costs.
The aim of the grant is to support business growth, by assisting with the cost of exhibiting at a UK or international Trade Fair, undertaking training, gaining an industry accreditation, or implementing the recommendations of a Business Gateway Digital Review or one-hour Digital Expert Help Surgery. The activity must be linked to a business benefit. You must be able to specify what you would spend the grant on and explain why your business requires financial support with those costs.
One application can be made for each type of activity ie training, trade fair, accreditation and digital.
Eligible costs can include trade stand fee, training fee, accreditation fee, travel to attend (bus, train, flights, ferries, vehicle hire, taxis), accommodation required to attend (with breakfast and/or evening meals if booked as part of an accommodation package), and digital equipment or supplier costs. The grant cannot be used for statutory costs, wage subsidy for attending, car mileage, alcoholic drinks, entertaining clients, stock/materials or existing digital costs.
The grant application process is as follows:
- You submit a fully-completed application form with the required supporting documents.
- You meet (by phone or video) with a business adviser from Argyll and Bute Council’s Business Gateway to discuss your application.
- If approved, you will be issued with an offer letter confirming the items that can be supported by the grant and the maximum value of the grant awarded to you.
- After you have accepted your offer of grant, you can purchase your approved items then claim your grant by submitting a claim form with proof of expenditure for each item (invoices and bank statement showing payment).
