South Norfolk Build Up Grant and support

This grant is intended for those entrepreneurs who have either just started trading or the business is less than two years old. Aimed at businesses seeking a grant for a specific need to support the growth and development of their business.

This scheme aims to encourage and support the development of fledgling businesses within the district by providing a match funded grant.

• 50% of costs up to total expenditure of £2000 or above.
• VAT included, except where the business is VAT registered in which case, we will pay costs excluding any VAT
• The maximum grant value will be £1,000

How will this grant programme work?

This grant scheme will require the business to apply and seek our approval for funding support in advance and once that is given the business will then need to fund the purchase in full. We will determine which elements of your expenditure we will approve part-funding and those pre-approved costs can then be claimed back on production of evidence of the expenditure actually incurred. We will not be able to support applications for expenditure already incurred before the date of your application.

Who can apply for support under this scheme?

• Any person who is a South Norfolk resident and will be trading from an address in the South Norfolk Council area (their home address where there are no dedicated business premises) who fits the business eligibility criteria below and supplies the documents requested.
• Any business/non-resident who is looking to lease business premises within the South Norfolk Council area.

What spending can the grant support?

Listed below are a range of business activities that can be applied for under the Build Up Grant. The list is by no means comprehensive and should only be used as guidance and not a definitive list. You can use the grant towards one or more business activity:

• the purchase of essential specialist equipment
• initial rental costs of new premises
• costs of buying in consultancy/coaching/mentorship
• specialist training and refresher courses
• training associated with new regulations
• the purchase of specialist software
• sign writing
• design and printing of promotional literature, exhibitions
• uniforms with your business logo
• membership of professional bodies
• ecommerce website set up and design
• commercial fit out

Please note: grants are not available to fund computer hardware unless sufficient evidence is provided to show that your business could not develop without such equipment. Grants can also not be used for the purchase of stock.

Eligibility

1. The business must be based in the South Norfolk Council area and operate for a minimum of 16     hours per week.
2. We will not be able to support applications for expenditure already incurred before the date of your application.
3. To be considered for support in the form of a Build Up Grant the business must have already started trading and have been trading for less than 24 months.
4. You cannot apply for this grant if you have previously received a Build Up Grant from the South Norfolk Council Business Builder programme
5. There will be an application and approval process. Decisions are normally made within three weeks of the application and supporting documents being received. Applicants will be advised whether they have been approved for the purposes of grant support.
6. Applicants who do not provide the required information or meet the criteria will be contacted.
7. Grant funds are limited, offered on a first come, first served basis and subject to availability. Please do not assume that your application will be successful and that a grant will be awarded. There is no automatic right to grant support.
8. No grant will be awarded if the applicant is in arrears with any council service such as Council Tax. This will be checked as part of the application process.

Evidence and documentation for your application

You will need to provide various pieces of information to complete your application. The webform will timeout after two hours of entering so we suggest that you make sure you have copies of your documentation available to upload before you begin. The information and evidence required includes:

• business plan (download the business plan template) (If you have been trading more than 12    months and have prepared accounts this can suffice in place of the business plan)
• projected 12 month cashflow or detailed financial projections, (download the cashflow template
• proof of South Norfolk Council business address (for example business rates bill or tenancy agreement), or where trading from home address a Council Tax bill (and if you are not the bill payer a form of photographic ID showing address will be required such as driving licence).
• quote(s) for the proposed expenditure.
• a recent copy of your bank statement associated with the business (showing some business transactions)
• as part of your application process, you will be asked for your Companies House registration, your VAT number or your HMRC UTR number and applications cannot be submitted without one of these. Where there is not a limited company in place we will need to see evidence of the UTR

Please also ensure that you have registered with and are complying with the requirements of the relevant Council services – such as planning, food hygiene, licensing, and business rates where appropriate.

In most cases one of our experienced Economic Development Officers will visit you to talk to you about your business. Our aim with this programme is to take this opportunity to support the growth in your business, through the grant funding, but also supplementing this with training and ongoing advice and support. As part of the grant offer you will also have the opportunity to access some free training where appropriate at our Council Training Centre, Carrowbreck House in Hellesdon.