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    Last update 22/07/2025

    2025 Grants and Loans for Small Businesses in Fareham, UK


    🔹 Introduction

    Fareham Borough Council supports local enterprises through business advice, government-backed loans, and regional funding schemes—such as UKSPF—despite having limited direct grants currently.


    🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

    Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)


    🔹 Local Grants & Support

    Wider Business Support Scheme & Discretionary Grants

    UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)

    • As lead authority, Fareham received approximately £1 million through March 2025 to boost local business support, skills, and place-based investment (UKSPF).


    🔹 Regional & Specialist Support

    Made Smarter – Manufacturing Grant

    • Fareham supports a Made Smarter programme offering grants and workshops for manufacturing SMEs—detailed in the June 2025 business newsletter (Fareham Borough Council).

    Solent LEP Crowdfunder Support

    • Solent LEP (including Fareham) matches up to £2,000 for micro-businesses or £5,000 for small businesses as part of ongoing local development (Fareham Borough Council).

    Fareham Start-Up Launchpad

    • Council-sponsored mentoring for early-stage local startups, delivered via Solent Partners; recent cohorts received 12-month intensive support (Solent Growth Partnership).

    Community & Digital Inclusion Funds

    • Hants and Isle of Wight Community grants cover £500–£1,500 for charity and community-focused inclusion and digital initiatives (Hampshire County Council).


    🔹 Business Support Services

    • Fareham Business Newsletter (June 2025) promotes events like the STEM manufacturing grant session and networking at the Innovation Centre (Fareham Borough Council).

    • A dedicated grants helpline (01329 824430) helps with funding queries (Solent Airport).

    • The Council also facilitates sponsorship and partnership opportunities for local business engagement (Business South).


    🔹 Eligibility Guidance

    • Use the GOV.UK Business Finance & Support Finder for national schemes.

    • Check with Fareham’s grants helpline to confirm eligibility for local programmes.

    • Consult Solent LEP or Council news on UKSPF-funded opportunities upcoming after March 2025.


    🔹 Application Process

    1. Define your need—loan, manufacturing, digital, community project.

    2. Match to schemes—Start‑Up Loan, Made Smarter, LEP match-funding.

    3. Check eligibility—size, sector, location, project specifics.

    4. Prepare your package—business plan, forecasts, quotes, mentorship plan.

    5. Apply:

      • For Start‑Up Loan: GOV.UK portal.

      • For local schemes: via newsletter event bookings or grants helpline.

      • For LEP funding: through Solent LEP Crowdfunder.

    6. Follow up—track progress, adhere to deadlines, respond to info requests.


    🔹 Additional Tips


    🔹 Contact & Further Information


    âť“ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

     

    🔹 Are there direct business grants from Fareham Council?
    Not currently—support is delivered via discretionary ARG-funded schemes and UKSPF-backed business support (Fareham Borough Council).

     

    🔹 How can I get help applying for grant funding?
    Call the grants helpline at 01329 824430 for advice on eligibility and next steps (Startup Grant, Solent Airport).

     

    🔹 What is the Made Smarter scheme about?
    It’s a manufacturing grant and mentoring scheme for local SMEs—details featured in the Council's June 2025 newsletter (Fareham Borough Council).

     

    🔹 How much can Solent LEP funding match?
    Micro-businesses can receive up to £2,000, small businesses up to £5,000 via Crowdfunder match programmes in the Solent (Fareham Borough Council).

     

    🔹 What’s Fareham Start‑Up Launchpad?
    A year-long mentoring programme co-funded by Solent Partners for early-stage businesses (Solent Growth Partnership).

     

    🔹 How much can I borrow via a Start‑Up Loan?
    Between £500 and £25,000, at a fixed 6% interest with mentoring guidance.

     

    🔹 Can community groups apply for grants?
    Yes—grants up to £1,500 are available for charities via Hampshire community funding (Hampshire County Council).

     

    🔹 Do I need a business plan?
    Yes. All schemes—loans, manufacturing support, or grants—require a clear, well-prepared plan.

     

    🔹 Where do I begin?

    1. Define your project

    2. Contact the grants helpline

    3. Apply through the right channel

    4. Build your plan

    5. Attend support events

     

     

     

     

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