Cash boost for Aylesbury firms

Archived press release

Date Published: 12/12/08

Grants of up to £3,000 are available for new businesses and up to £5,000 for existing businesses.

Small businesses in Aylesbury Vale are reaping the benefits of a grant scheme run by the district council.

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s small business grant scheme aims to make local businesses stronger and more viable, helping them increase their turnover, employ more staff and grow the local economy. It can fund a wide variety of costs, from new machinery and equipment to marketing or staff training.

The local firms who are the latest to benefit from the scheme are Cliff Productions, Fluent and Skin Scientists. They each received a grant of £5,000.

Cliff Productions, a film and media production company, will move from its current base in Aston Clinton to new premises by the summer, and is looking to invest in software development and high definition equipment.

Darren Cliff, Director of Cliff Productions, said: “I’m delighted that my business is a recipient of a grant from AVDC. We will use the grant to accelerate purchases of vital equipment to allow us to grow our work capacity and for much-needed marketing activity. Marketing is especially important for small businesses and it’s the activity that is always difficult to fund. The grant will help give us a real opportunity to develop the business, increase job numbers and grow turnover much sooner than projected.”

Fluent, an internet service provider and IT development company based at Gatehouse Way in Aylesbury, is investing in their email system to meet the changing demands of clients.

Jonathan Gilpin, Director of Fluent, said: “The grant from AVDC has spring boarded our company into releasing new products six months earlier than previously expected, which in turn has allowed us to accelerate our growth by hiring people earlier than expected.”

Skin Scientists, a male cosmeceutical company based at Gatehouse Way, is the first firm in the UK to produce and brand anti-ageing products for men. The company has recently introduced the first non-toxic botox product for men and plan to increase distribution lines worldwide as well as launch further products later in the year.

Rachel Westwood, Director of Skin Scientists, said: “Gaining the AVDC grant has enabled us to turn our ambitious plans into reality. Our aim was to expand both our sales and range of products and obtaining the council grant enabled us to invest in marketing materials to support the launch of the new products and facilitate in the expansion of our sales. We were able to introduce a new, highly sophisticated e-commerce website – www.manceuticals.co.uk – and high quality promotional literature. As a result we have had interest from some of the leading department stores and national press. The skin care industry is highly competitive and quality marketing materials are imperative to succeed.”

Grants of up to £3,000 are available for new businesses and up to £5,000 for existing businesses. A small amount of cash still remains to be distributed.

To be eligible to apply for a grant, business applicants need to be able to demonstrate significant growth potential. Businesses start-up applicants are also required to provide evidence of 50 per cent match funding whilst existing businesses will have to match the total grant award.

Councillor Michael Edmonds, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “We are delighted to be able to consider new grant applications from new or existing firms who wish to develop and grow their businesses. A wide variety of businesses have received assistance from the grant scheme in the past and we hope that further businesses will take advantage of the opportunity whilst funds are available.”

For more information about business grants and to find out whether your business is eligible, call the council’s economic development team on 01296 585657.