Business Support funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
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).