Archived press release

Date Published: 04/03/08

Two Aylesbury-based firms have been awarded grants from a district-council run initiative to help pay for business development activities.

Aylesbury Vale District Council’s Small Business Grant Scheme provides funding to new and existing businesses within the district which employ up to 30 people.

The aim of the fund is to support the creation of jobs in the Vale by putting additional cash into the development and expansion of start-up firms and existing enterprises.

The grant scheme can help to fund capital and revenue expenditure such as new machinery or equipment, upgraded business premises, staff training, advertising, websites and much more.

The local businesses who are the latest to benefit from the scheme are Evolution Wedding Services and Enterprise Marketing Solutions.

Evolution Wedding Services, a start-up firm based in Gatehouse Way, has set up an online database of sales, marketing and general business support articles aimed at helping wedding suppliers in the Buckinghamshire area. The newly formed company will be launching another website later in the year focused on assisting those planning a wedding to access comprehensive information on wedding suppliers.

Edward Janes, Director of Evolution Wedding Services, said: “The £3,000 grant we have received will be used to promote awareness about our new wedding supply website, to the benefit of my own business as well as local wedding suppliers and those planning a wedding in the area.”

Enterprise Marketing Solutions in Hull Close offers a full range of marketing services including

PR, advertising, web design and events. The business founder, Karen Moule, has a strong background in the marketing industry and is particularly focusing her business on helping small to medium sized enterprises in the Buckinghamshire area. The company has received £3,000 to help towards the purchase of a digital camera, a computer and promotional items such as Christmas cards and calendars.

Councillor Michael Edmonds, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “Local businesses are vital to the growth of the economy. The council is committed to supporting local companies and these grants help us achieve that. Helping businesses in the Aylesbury Vale area in this way will enable them to expand their business and bring more investment and jobs into this district.”

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 while existing businesses will have to match the total grant award.

For more information about business grants and to find out whether your business is eligible, visit the council’s website at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/business or call the council’s economic development team on 01296 585657. 

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For interviews, please contact:
• Councillor Michael Edmonds, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, 01844 208603
• Bill Murray, Economic Development Manager, 01296 585064