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Last update 01/08/2025

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2025 Grants and Loans for Startups, Small Businesses & New Ventures in Sevenoaks District, UK

Introduction

Launching or growing a business in Sevenoaks District? You can access multiple local grant schemes, interest-free business loans, and council-backed support services in 2025. This guide outlines current opportunities, criteria, application steps, and key contacts.

Available Grants

🔹 West Kent Rural Grants

Purpose: Support capital projects for rural businesses in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, or Tunbridge Wells.
Funding: Typically £5,000–£20,000; some grants may reach £24,999; requires at least 50 % match funding.
Eligibility: Rural micro‑ or small enterprises, charities, social enterprises or community organisations (sevenoaks.gov.uk, Kent & Medway Growth Hub).

🔹 Retail Enhancement Fund

Purpose: Enhance shopfronts, signage or aesthetics of independent retail businesses.
Funding: Up to £2,000 per retailer.
Eligibility: Independent retailers located within the Sevenoaks District (sevenoaks.gov.uk).

🔹 Enhancing Employment Fund

Purpose: Support local training initiatives in areas like disability inclusion, mental health, and well‑being.
Funding: Up to £5,000 per project. Eligibility includes businesses or organisations offering relevant training (sevenoaks.gov.uk).

🔹 Gatwick Foundation Fund

Purpose: Funding for charities, social enterprises and community organisations operating in the Gatwick Diamond area, which includes Sevenoaks.
Funding: Varies by year; check current rounds (sevenoaks.gov.uk).

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Kent & Medway Business Fund – Small Business Boost

Loan size: £26,000–£99,000 at 0 % interest, repayable over five years with a six‑month holiday; 10 % admin fee and 20–30 % match funding required.
Eligibility: SMEs in Kent/Medway with fewer than 250 staff, growth potential, and job creation plans (kent.gov.uk).

🔹 Kent & Medway Business Fund – Standard Loan

Loan size: £100,000–£600,000 at 0 % interest, up to 50 % match funding required; security usually requested.
Eligibility: Established SMEs based in Kent/Medway meeting innovation and employment criteria (kent.gov.uk).

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Loan size: £500–£25,000 with a fixed interest rate (~6% per annum) for up to five years. Includes 12 months of mentoring.
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, trading under 36 months, with a viable business plan. Apply via GOV.UK (medway.gov.uk, Kent & Medway Growth Hub).

Local & Regional Support

🔹 Sevenoaks District Council Support Hub

Central resource for grant opportunities, business enquiries, planning and local support.
Visit: Sevenoaks business support & grants page (sevenoaks.gov.uk).

🔹 Kent & Medway Growth Hub

Offers mentoring, webinars, finance-finder tools and Grow‑Hub referrals to local funding schemes.
Visit: https://www.kentandmedwaygrowthhub.org.uk (Kent & Medway Growth Hub).

Eligibility & Application Guidance

Use the GOV.UK Business Finance Support tool to explore national grants and loans.
Contact the economic development team at Sevenoaks Council (business.grants@sevenoaks.gov.uk) to check availability and criteria.
Prepare documents like: business plan, forecasts, quotes, bank statements, ID, registration, match funding evidence (if required).

Application Steps

Identify relevant grant or loan schemes for your business stage.
Confirm eligibility via official guidance or by contacting the Growth Hub or Council.
Gather documentation including business plans, financial forecasts, quotes, ID and match funding.
Submit a formal application or Expression of Interest.
Complete a full application if shortlisted.
Await decision. If successful, comply with any monitoring or impact reporting requirements.

Additional Tips

Join networks such as the Sevenoaks District Chamber of Commerce for mentoring and promotion opportunities.
Use Kent & Medway Growth Hub webinars on finance, marketing, and innovation.
Expand your connections with https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking.

Contact & Further Information

Sevenoaks District Council – Business Support & Grants:
https://www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/info/20004/business/729/business_support_and_grants (Kent & Medway Growth Hub, sevenoaks.gov.uk, kmbf.co.uk, kent.gov.uk, sevenoakschamber.com, medway.gov.uk)
Email: business.grants@sevenoaks.gov.uk • Tel: 01732 227000
Kent & Medway Business Fund Enquiries: via Kent County Council site or email kmbf@kent.gov.uk (sevenoaks.gov.uk, kent.gov.uk)
Kent & Medway Growth Hub:
https://www.kentandmedwaygrowthhub.org.uk (Kent & Medway Growth Hub)

FAQs

🔹 Are there grants specifically for rural businesses in Sevenoaks?
Yes—West Kent Rural Grants offer funding between £5,000 and £20,000 (up to £24,999 on occasion) for capital investment in rural areas such as Sevenoaks.

🔹 Can independent retailers apply for funding?
Yes—the Retail Enhancement Fund provides up to £2,000 for eligible retailers in the Sevenoaks District.

🔹 Is Start‑Up Loan funding still available?
Yes—Start‑Up Loans of up to £25,000 per founder remain available via the UK government scheme.

🔹 What if my business isn’t registered yet?
Some grants may support pre‑start proposals, but loan schemes usually require a formally registered business.

🔹 Can I use grant funds for digital transformation or marketing?
Many grant schemes allow spending on digital improvements, marketing, website development or stock—check eligible uses with each fund provider.

🔹 Can I apply for multiple grants or loans at once?
Possibly—some schemes allow a combination of grants or use of match funding; confirm this with fund providers to avoid duplication.

🔹 What support is offered for staff training or wellbeing projects?
The Enhancing Employment Fund covers projects related to disability inclusion, mental health or staff wellbeing training.

🔹 How long does the application process take?
Simpler grants may take 2–4 weeks; larger loans may take longer, depending on due diligence and follow-up.

🔹 Where can I get help with my application?
Contact Sevenoaks District Council’s Economic Development team or visit the Kent & Medway Growth Hub for free support and guidance.

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