Business Grants - Are they possible?

[Deleted User] · 10 July 2013 at 10:18AM

Hello All

We have recently started a small business, offering catering services, both mobile and fixed; i.e buffets.

Anyway we need more money if this is to work, so I have searched grants and have found lots of pages with very little info.

Most sites are now closed and lead me to a dead end or the application process is closed.

Does anyone know how to go about getting a grant? Even the .gov website is of little help.

We don't need a lot! We are a partnership in a deprived areas - so the map says.

Thanks in advance.

paddyrg · 10 July 2013 at 11:49AM

Businesses are supposed to be net contributors to the tax coffers, not beneficiaries, so I doubt there is anything even if you're in a deprived area you're getting cheap rent, rates etc. The market finds its level.

[Deleted User] · 10 July 2013 at 12:41PM

Thanks I only said that because the business link pages stated that there was opportunity for grants for people in the so called deprived areas...

I need some injection and I have seen so many people being provided with grants for causes that are clearly failing before they start - they then fail and the person moves on to the next scheme.

Mistral001 · 10 July 2013 at 12:55PM

Does a deprived area need more catering? In other words I suspect that you will be generating money from people and businesses who are in the deprived area so the deprived area will not gain from your work. you will in fact probably be taking business from established small caterers in the area who are not getting grants.

However if you generated money from people and businesses located outside the deprived area you would be bringing money into the area from outside the area and if the other caterers were not doing this you would not be accused of depriving them of business.

Is there any way you could sell to the rest of the country or abroad and show that you are bringing money into the area.

phill99 · 10 July 2013 at 8:50PM

Strangely enough, some years ago when times were better and there was more money in the economy, there were a lot of grants for small business - business link, regional authorities, European monies, etc.

Now that the economy is in need of injection, and Cameron is expecting the private sector to take up the slack of wholesale corporate and public sector redundancy, there are virtually no grants available.

But don't worry. Investment bankers are still getting their bonuses.

Brassedoff · 10 July 2013 at 11:55PM

I am afraid the answer for anything above £500 as a rule is no. The last RDA job I did was in 2010 and I think it's the last one.

That said, they were supposed to have re-directed that type of money from the RDA's to your local authority. The only thing they did with it was set up a new department full of people offering advice and workshops, but have never been in business (just a bugbear, if you haven't laid awake wondering how you are to pay your staff the next day, you have not lived ;-) ).

Check with your local authority or if young enough, the Princes Trust.

Don't get your hopes up and don't take it funny. I would not expect anything as your trade doesn't really bring the "high grade" jobs that those giving out grants and loans look for. If you were into engineering they might help, but not catering.

[Deleted User] · 11 July 2013 at 8:48PM

Thanks all - yes I was looking at grants to employ staff, but I guess it's not so easy now.

I will keep my eyes open and "if" I ever find anything will let you know :-)

Onwards_and_upwards · 14 July 2013 at 9:05PM

I'm in Scotland and business gateway has been extremely helpful. We are in line for 2 grants, a marketing/advertising one for £250 and a business growth one, for up to £20,000 (though it's for very specific purposes/criteria - so we're meeting the criteria of boosting the local economy in employing more than 10 people. We also have to match the amount we apply for)

We also have access to an investment fund which has really good terms, flat rate of 6% interest, can defer repayments for the first 6 months, again we have to match the amount we apply for.

Have you approached your equivalent to business gateway?

[Deleted User] · 14 July 2013 at 9:22PM

I'm not sure, but I will certainly take a look now. I'll report back. Thanks again.

Micky_d · 15 July 2013 at 2:46PM

Hi, I started my own business just over two years ago and I had to dig deep to find grants but they are available. I don't know what part of the country you are in but some grants or loans are available.

Microloan fund. This offers very cheap business loans to small startups or for small businesses and providing your business plan is good and you have at least 3 years projections, you should apply.

NBSL (Northumberland business services offers European funding grants to small businesses who will creat employment (1+ employee who could be an apprentice)

Your local council will offer grant funding for small business's providing you are in an enterprise zone (areas with higher unemployment) Contact your council and ask for the business development unit (some councils may call it something different) and don't take no for an answer. I had trouble getting past the receptionist who had no idea what I was talking about. Be persistent. Ask to be put through to the business regeneration office. These departments will likely know who to put you in contact with.

With regard to staffing, the job centre offer 8 week free placements for employers. No strings attached. You offer 16-24 year olds experience for 8 weeks, offer them a reference at the end and then take someone else on another placement. The job centre are crying out for small businesses to do this.

You could take on an apprentice, 2.68 an hour for a minimum of 12 weeks and they give you £1500 back. They pay for themselves.

If you look on the old business link website, they still have lots of live links to groups who have pockets of EU funding to help small businesses. You won't be allowed to buy stock but you will be able to buy equipment, advertising, marketing and things that will allow you to spend your money on other things.

Hope this helps. I have had all of the above and as a small business they have all been a great help.

Regards

[Deleted User] · 15 July 2013 at 9:27PM

You have some great advice, however I can access these as I'm based in the West Midlands :-(

Now I wish I was based in the North East. I'm sure somebody will really find your info very helpful, I now just need to find the same in my area.

Business Grants - Are they possible?

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