Small Business Grant Scheme
The Small Business Grant Scheme is now closed for applications. We received a significant number of applications and are currently in the process of reviewing them.
We appreciate the effort and enthusiasm of all applicants and will be in contact shortly.
For any urgent inquiries or assistance, please contact us at [email protected]
About the scheme
The Small Business Grant Scheme has been funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund. Capital grants of £5,000 were available for small businesses employing fewer than 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) people.
The Small Business Grant Scheme included an online business advice session and a capital grant of £5,000. Successful applicants committed to both parts of the scheme.
The grants were designed to help with the purchase of capital items (e.g., equipment, furniture, property improvements or other major material purchases) that will help businesses to grow and achieve one or more of the following outputs:
- The creation or safeguarding of jobs
- The creation of new enterprises and businesses
- Increasing the number of visitors
Exclusions
The following businesses were not eligible for the SBGS:
- Businesses that are in administration, are insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made.
- Businesses that have been trading for less than 6 months.
- Businesses that have already received a grant from West Oxfordshire District Council's Small Business Grant Scheme in 2024
- Businesses whose projects have received funding from:
- The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme
- The Farming Investment Fund
- The Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund
- Businesses which have already received grant payments that equal the maximum subsidy levels as set out in the Subsidy Act 2022.
Advice sessions
One to one advice sessions were delivered by The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP). They were an opportunity for businesses to discuss plans for the grant funding as well as any aspect of the business that they would like advice on.
The Small Business Grant Scheme is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund. For more information about how we are using these funds in West Oxfordshire, please see: https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/prosperityfunds/