Business support grants available in Aylesbury Vale

Archived press release

Date Published: 01/11/07

Small businesses in Aylesbury Vale are being invited to apply for grant funding to assist their growth and expansion. Grants are available from Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Small Business Grant Scheme, which was set up to boost jobs an...

Small businesses in Aylesbury Vale are being invited to apply for grant funding to assist their growth and expansion.

Grants are available from Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Small Business Grant Scheme, which was set up to boost jobs and encourage a more mixed economy in the area.

There is up to £3,000 available for business start-up firms and up to £5,000 for existing businesses. The money may be used to help buy or adapt equipment or property and fixtures as well as to fund some marketing and training activities.

Companies in the district that have recently benefited from the scheme include:
• Quality Print Finishers in Westcott, which received a grant of £5,000 to buy new equipment
• Aylesbury-based Ginger Interiors, which was awarded a grant of £3,000 to help cover the cost of an advertising campaign to promote their business.
• Skills Centre UK in Aylesbury, which received a grant of £3,000 for the development of an interactive website for the marketing of the business 

To be eligible to apply for a grant, business applicants need to be small businesses with less than 30 employees or business start-ups and need to be able to demonstrate significant growth potential. Businesses start-up applicants are required to provide evidence of 50 per cent match funding while existing businesses will have to match the total grant award.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “In the past many businesses have benefited from this excellent grant scheme, whether it be from moving offices, expanding or installing important security features to protect their premises. Businesses using professional support services are far more likely to increase turnover and profitability. This is a tremendous opportunity for a small firm to expand or diversify its business and shape its vision into a reality.”

For more information about business grants and to find out whether your business is eligible, look at the council’s website www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk under Business Information, then Business Support. You can also call the council’s economic development team on 01296 585657.