Budding entrepreneurs in West Somerset with bright business ideas could qualify for a financial helping hand from Conservative-controlled West Somerset Council to help them develop their enterprise. Existing small businesses with good ideas about how to improve their offer are also eligible.
The deadline for applications to the time-limited small business grants pot is March 18 2015 – so the advice is to get the forms filled and submitted as soon as possible.
The grant will cover a maximum half the total costs of a project to develop the business. The maximum grant available is £400.
The grant can be used towards helping to making a new business a success and raising the profile and profitability of an existing one. This could include a grant towards marketing, for example brand design, producing new marketing materials and web development, a contribution towards new equipment or, in some cases, redecoration which might improve the look of the premises.
“We are really keen to hear from people with good ideas – they could be working from home in a village or one of our smaller towns. I am sure that there are people who have a great project in mind but need a bit of financial help to get it off the ground,” said Cllr Stuart Dowding, Chair of West Somerset Council. “I am very keen to see small rural businesses starting up, surviving and thriving in our more deeply rural areas, and I have decided to use the residue of my Chairman’s discretionary fund to support such entrepreneurial enterprises. Remember Vodaphone started in a garage in a village.”
The grant will not cover normal running costs, such as business rates, employees’ pay, utilities bills, rent payments or general costs of advertising.
To be eligible businesses must be based within West Somerset with fewer than ten employees. Minehead businesses are not able to apply, as a grants scheme for the town is already in place - find out more here. Applications will be assessed by a small panel for eligibility and other criteria will also be taken into account if the fund is over subscribed. Applications are particularly welcomed from young people under the age of 30 and those operating within rural areas.
For those interested in applying, and reasonably certain that they are eligible, the process is simple: complete the application form available here http://www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/smallbusinessgrants to outline the plans and expected costs and post it to Gordon Dwyer, West Somerset Council, Killick Way, Williton, TA4 4QA or pop it into the Customer Contact Centre at Summerland Road, Minehead.
Applications must be received by 9am on Wednesday 18 March 2015. West Somerset Council aims to notify all applicants of the outcome of their applications by 31 March 2015.