Business Support Grants

Purpose of the Business Support Grant

• The grant aims to support local small businesses to encourage the growth of a vibrant local economy. 80% of businesses in the borough have up to four employees, and they play a vital role in the success of the local economy.
• The grant is for small businesses with up to four employees.
• It is intended to be a ‘one off’ award to help a small business develop and grow by enabling them to acquire or improve equipment, accommodation or skills.

The process

Every year, the Council approves a sum of money to make awards under the Business Support Grant Scheme. Awards are made up to a total of £1,000 per application.

To apply for a Business Support Grant, a business must fill in the Business Support Grant Application Form. This should be accompanied by evidence of how the grant will make a difference in helping to develop and grow the business. A simple business plan with 1-3 years’ worth of financial forecasts, evidence of your legal structure, and details of match funding will also be required.

Our team is on hand to help if you have any questions about the application process. Applications should be sent to:

Economic Prosperity Team, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate, RH2 0SH.

Or by email to economicprosperity@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be invited for a short interview. The interviews are a way for us to find out more about your business and to talk through your business plan, financials and goals. We offer interview dates once a month.

Payment of the grant will be made by BACS payment where possible.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the Grant, applicants must be:

• Aged 18 or over
• Running a small business (1-4 employees)
• A new business or one looking to grow
• Based in the Borough of Reigate & Banstead
• Able to demonstrate an ambition and likelihood of growth (as demonstrated in their business plan)
• Able to demonstrate availability of match funding

Examples of activities that qualify for funding include:

• Capital expenditure, machinery, tools, computer and other equipment
• Business premises-related investments
• Training or recruitment

Documents required include:

• A business plan
• 1-3 years’ worth of financial forecasts
• Information on the legal structure of the business

Once you have submitted your application form, you will then have 3 months in which to submit all the supporting information and evidence. After this time, your application will be closed, however you can reapply with a new application form at a later date.

When eligibility criteria have been met, you will be asked to interview. If at interview it is deemed you need to submit further information before a decision can be made, you have three months to submit this. If the additional information is not submitted within the time period, the application will be closed but you will be able to submit a fresh application.

Once your application has been approved, payment will be received within 10-15 working days of bank details being received.

Second grant

It is possible to apply for a second Business Support Grant. To qualify, you must be able to demonstrate growth since being awarded the initial grant and have strong and concrete growth plans which the grant will help you achieve. For example, a second grant would be considered for recruitment costs to take on additional staff or Updated: February 2023 an apprentice. We would not consider second grant applications for replacement of equipment.

Enterprise Nation

As an additional benefit of your application for a Business Support Grant, we have partnered with Enterprise Nation (external website) to bring you 12 months of support, connections and discounts for your business free of charge.

Privacy Policy

Your name, business name and address will be stored on a secure database when you apply for a Business Support Grant. If your application is unsuccessful, we will destroy your application form, but your name and business name will remain on the database. If your application is successful, we will securely store your application form and supporting materials for a period of up to seven years after which time it will be destroyed but your name and business name will remain on our database.

If you are successful, we will seek your consent (which you may withdraw at any stage) to make reference to your business for the purposes of promoting the grant through social media and other marketing activity. We may also contact you for the purposes of gaining feedback on the grant process.

We promise to keep your details safe and secure and not to share them with any other parties. For further information please view our Privacy Policy webpage.