Business funding schemes

We are committing funding to create small business grants for one-off works or projects that will support Small Medium Enterprises (SME’s) from across the Borough.

The grants are aimed to help protect the vibrancy and offer of businesses within the town centres and local centres including shopping parades, which in turn help to increase footfall and vibrancy of these areas. Grants may be used for one off works or projects that help sustain the business, increase or improve the offer available, heighten awareness of the business, or contribute towards expansion.

Who can apply

The grant scheme is open to all owners and leaseholders with at least 3 years left on their lease (if the grant relates to premises works) and who are based within the Borough.

The maximum amount of any grant award will be £5,000 and only one application per SME will be accepted.

The Council is keen to see examples of collaboration. Where there is a joint improvement opportunity, for example a number of SMEs within a parade working together to improve the overall visibility of premises, applications can be submitted together; although each business must apply individually.

Eligible commercial premises include:

• Retailers eg. grocery, butcher, bakery, etc.
• Services provision e.g. hairdressers, beauty salons, barbers, funeral directors, launderettes, dry cleaners etc.
• Financial and professional services e.g. accountants, estate agents, solicitors
• Restaurants, public houses, cafes and food takeaways

The following organisations/businesses are ineligible:

• National retailers/chains/multiples
• National charities
• Betting Shops/Pawnbrokers
• Adult entertainment premises
• Vape shops

Funding uses

Some examples (not exhaustive) include:

• Support for planning or licensing
• Undertaking building improvements
• Equipment purchase or replacement
• Business development (including physical or digital publicity such as websites)
• Improving energy efficiency

The grant will not fund:

• Recurring revenue costs (including salaries, stock, social media ads, rent, utility charges etc)
• Repaying existing loans or debts or using this or the council as a guarantee for a loan

Grant determination

All applications will be assessed and decided by the panel. The Panel are not obliged to award funding, or the total funding being requested. Part-funding offers may be made where appropriate. The panel’s decision will be final.

Applicants will be notified of the decision, along with confirmation of when and how payments will be made. In some cases the Council will offer interval payments on receipt of evidence of delivery/achievements.

In all cases, the Council will require evidence that the grant funding has been used in accordance with the application and agreement at award; and will require evidence of spend such as receipts. In the event that this information is not provided or the Council is not satisfied the grant funding has been used as agreed, the Council reserves the right to recover the full grant funding and any associated costs for that recovery process.

How to apply

Applications for grants to this scheme are to be completed online.

Apply for a business grant

Supporting Information required:

• Most recent bank statements (3 months) (UK bank account)
• Business rates bill - only for those occupying business premises
• Companies House Registration
• Business insurance certificate
• Details of proposed project / works
• Copies of quotes for the proposed spend
• Copy of Planning, Licencing, Environmental Health consents and/or permissions, if applicable,
• Copy of your tenancy/ lease agreement (if applicable) and copy of the owners written consent for the works as per the application form
• Visuals of proposed alterations if available

The Panel may request additional information to satisfy required checks

Grant Conditions

• Grants are discretionary and the Council reserves the right to withhold payment of the grant in whole or part if any condition of the offer has been breached
• The applicant must hold a business bank account (a ‘trading as’ account is acceptable)
• The applicant must have all the necessary permissions and licenses to operate the business or make changes to the premises if applicable (e.g. changes to signage or shop frontage decoration may need planning and listed building consent)
• By accepting the grant, you agree to be involved with Gravesham Borough Council on any publicity on the fund e.g. press releases and photographs, interviews. You will also be required to promote the Council’s support by including their logo as appropriate e.g. on your publicity, socials, website etc
• The applicant must not have any outstanding debts payable to Gravesham Borough Council
• All grant decisions are at the discretion of the grant panel whose decision is final
• All applications will be assessed on the criteria and priorities of the scheme
• The grant is repayable should any of the conditions be breached or if the project is not implemented in full as detailed in the application form
• Grants will be limited to one per business
• The applicant/business needs to be financially solvent
• You will be required to maintain the property to a satisfactory standard for a minimum of three years if the grant relates to property-based works

Offer of the Grant

An offer of grant must be accepted within 20 working days of receipt of the offer. After this date the offer will be automatically withdrawn. An offer letter will be emailed or sent via the post (if no email is provided), return of acceptance can also be emailed with an electronic signature or sent via the post with a wet signature.

Repayment of Grant

Gravesham Borough Council reserves the right to recover all or part of the grant it has offered and paid to the applicant if:

• The business is sold or ceases to trade for whatever reason within a 6-month period from receipt of the grant offer letter.
• The business relocates outside the boundaries of Gravesham Borough Council within a 6-month period from receipt of the grant offer letter.
• Information provided in the application form or other correspondence is found to be substantially incorrect, misleading, or incomplete.
• The business has committed acts or offences which could bring the Council into disrepute.
• The business has committed any fraudulent acts or bribing another person.

Funding time-scale

The closing date for applications and all supporting information is 7 December 2026.

Panel decisions will be made in December/January 2027, following which applicants will receive notification as to whether their submission has been successful or if any further supporting information is required.

A further round may be offered should any of the allocated funding for the grant scheme still be available after the first round, but this is subject to funding being unspent in the first round and is not guaranteed. Those not successful in the first round will not be eligible to apply again. Should there be a second round this would be opened in late January with funding decisions by early March at the latest.

Should you have any questions on the application form, process and criteria (including possible eligibility) please contact – inclusive.growth@gravesham.gov.uk