New small business grant funding is available

Horsham District Council’s Economic Development team manages the Local Enterprise and Apprenticeship Programme (LEAP) which provides vital funds to support local small businesses.

Recognising that new start- up businesses missed out on much of the Government’s COVID related grants, the Council decided to focus on the start-up sector for its current programme of LEAP grant funding.

A new round of funding is set to start on 31 March 2021, targeted towards new start-ups. The funding will be available to apply for until 30 May 2021 and businesses are urged to apply now before funds run out.

The Council’s Economic Development team has been managing the LEAP small business grants programme for four years and during this time over 125 small and micro businesses have successfully secured grants through this extremely popular programme.

Eligible businesses can apply for up to £2,000, which they will need to match with additional funds (30% of the total proposed project cost). They must be able to demonstrate how the project will develop or establish their business and what difference it will make.  They will also need to provide a fully costed business plan which the Council can provide help with.

Recent grant recipient Lisa Brace from Bold PR said:

The LEAP business grant meant that my website could be created, giving me a window to the world to promote what my business does - something which is hugely helpful considering the current environment.

Horsham District Council’s Cllr Paul Clarke, Cabinet Member for Local Economy said:

This is a great opportunity for people who have recently set up a new business and have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

“We are hoping as many businesses as possible will take advantage of this grant scheme in order to make that important small investment which will build the resilience of their enterprise which will be so crucial going forward.

Find out more and apply for funds from 31 March 2021 on our LEAP Small Business Grants page.

Alternatively, contact the Council’s Economic Development team on business.development@horsham.gov.uk .