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Last update 02/08/2025

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2025 Grants and Loans for Small Businesses in Ashfield, UK

Introduction

This updated guide outlines support available in 2025 for startups and small businesses in the Ashfield District, Nottinghamshire. You’ll find the latest grants, government-backed loans, and local support schemes—all sourced from official bodies and current to 2025.

Available Grants

Ashfield Accelerator Grant (AAG)

Funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Offers £8,000 to £30,000 (50% of total project cost, excluding VAT).
Minimum project cost: £16,000. Maximum funding requires a £60,000 project cost.
Must support job creation or energy‑efficiency / net-zero projects aligned to the Ashfield Accelerator.
Only one application per business; projects must be completed within three months or by 31 January 2026.
🔗 Guidance for AAG – PDF details (D2N2 Growth Hub)

Enterprise Development Grant

Offers up to £10,000 (75% of the eligible cost) to established SMEs in Ashfield with commercial premises.
Used for capital purchases, consultancy, training, new market access or productivity improvements.
Closing date: 31 October 2025, subject to funds.
🔗 Ashfield Enterprise Development Grant – Details (East Midlands Combined County Authority)

SWEF Young Enterprise Grant

National charity initiative for Nottinghamshire-based entrepreneurs aged 18–30 with less than 2 years trading.
Provides up to £2,000 for equipment, prototyping, websites, materials or training.
🔗 SWEF Grant Programme – Nottinghamshire (ashfield.gov.uk)

Enterprise Growth & Productivity Grant (May 2025 update)

New regional enterprise grant offering £3,000 to £10,000, covering up to 75% of project cost.
Aimed at productivity improvements, training, consultancy or growth-focused capital spend.
Projects must be new; they cannot cover work already agreed or completed.
Applications close 31 October 2025; completion by 31 January 2026.
🔗 Regional Growth Grant Announcement – May 2025 (mabn.co.uk)

Government‑Backed Loans

Start Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Unsecured loans of £500 to £25,000, available to pre‑start and early-stage businesses.
Fixed rate (6% APR), includes 12 months of mentoring and business plan support.
🔗 Start Up Loans – Official site (ashfield.gov.uk)

First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans (D2N2)

Loans between £500 and £250,000, backed by the government, targeting businesses unable to access traditional finance.
Delivered via accredited lenders or finance bodies in the East Midlands.
🔗 D2N2 Growth Hub – Start‑Up Funding Overview (startupgrant.co.uk, ashfield.gov.uk)

Local Council & Growth Hub Support

Ashfield District Council Business Support Team serves as a hub for funding advice, planning support or meeting requests.
📧 business.support@ashfield.gov.uk
🔗 Ashfield Council – Business Support (ashfield.gov.uk)
Enterprising Ashfield (HeadStart), delivered by Nottingham Trent University under the Towns Fund, offers:
- Free workshops, coaching and a £1,000 start‑up grant; graduate talent grants; innovation support and apprenticeship advice.
- The programme runs until March 2026.
  🔗 Enterprising Ashfield – D2N2 Growth Hub (D2N2 Growth Hub)

Eligibility Guidance

Use GOV.UK Business Finance Support Finder to explore national-level grants and support.
🔗 https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support-finder
Contact D2N2 Growth Hub or Ashfield Council business support for tailored guidance.
🔗 D2N2 Growth Hub

Application Process

Confirm eligibility for the relevant grant or loan scheme.
Prepare documentation: business plan, budget/forecast, ID, match funding proof.
Apply via official channel (GOV.UK, Council, D2N2, Start Up Loans).
Contact the adviser (Council or Growth Hub) to review proposals.
Submit a full application with supporting documents.
Await decision—timeline varies. Council grants often close by October, with awards given within weeks.
If successful, ensure project completion within the stipulated timeframe (typically 3 months).
Submit deliverables to claim funds and begin the project.

Additional Tips

Use https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking to network and build credibility.
Access free templates and mentoring via Start Up Loans and Growth Hub resources.
Consider overlapping funding (e.g. AAG + productivity grant), but always check eligibility to avoid subsidy breaches.

Contact & Further Information

Ashfield District Council – Economic Development / Business Support
📞 01623 450000
📧 business.support@ashfield.gov.uk
🔗 Council Business Support (ashfield.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk, D2N2 Growth Hub)

Kent & Medway equivalent replaced by D2N2 Growth Hub:
🔗 D2N2 Growth Hub support centre

FAQs

🔹 Are there specific grants for tech startups in Ashfield?
While there’s no designated tech grant, the Ashfield Accelerator Grant, Enterprise Development Grant or regional growth schemes may support tech-focused businesses if they meet the criteria.

🔹 How much funding is available?
Grants range: £2,000 up to £30,000, depending on the scheme and match funding. Loans can go up to £250,000, depending on the lender and product.

🔹 Can I apply before starting trading?
Yes—Start Up Loans are available to pre‑start or early-stage businesses and offer mentoring support.

🔹 What documents are required?
Business plan, forecasts/cashflow, personal ID, commercial premises proof, and match‑funding confirmation, where applicable.

🔹 What’s the application and decision timeline?
Grants must be applied for by 31 October 2025, with projects completed within 3 months. Council decisions often occur within weeks. Loan timelines vary by lender.

🔹 Is it possible to combine funding sources?
Yes—combining grants and loans is possible if subsidy limits and scheme rules are observed.

🔹 Are there fees involved with loans?

Start Up Loans: no application or admin fees, fixed APR.
First Enterprise / D2N2 loans: terms vary by lender—check specifics.

🔹 Can funding be used for operational costs?
Yes—grants and loans often support operational expenses, including training, consultancy, equipment; loans, especially, may cover working capital.

🔹 Where can I get support for applications?
Contact Ashfield District Council Business Support or D2N2 Growth Hub for tailored application assistance, funding advice, and planning support.

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What is Value Ad?

Value Ad is an innovative policy designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between two key groups: new businesses and service providers. This policy helps startups save significantly on essential services while enabling service providers to gain valuable traction and growth opportunities.

How is it a Win-Win Deal?

For New Businesses:

Cost Savings: Startups can save 50% to 80% on essential services such as website development and marketing. This means they don’t need to invest heavily upfront, making it easier to launch and grow their business.

Alternative Investment: The money saved through these discounts can be reinvested into other critical areas of the business, acting as an alternative investment that fuels further growth and development.

For Service Providers:

Initial Customer Base: Service providers, often tech startups themselves, can attract a significant number of initial customers by offering their services at a discounted rate. This helps them build traction and demonstrate value, which is crucial for attracting venture capital (VC) funding and other opportunities.

Marketing Efficiency: By providing affordable services, service providers do not need to spend heavily on marketing to acquire new customers. The discounted services themselves become a powerful marketing tool, bringing in customers who can spread the word and enhance the provider’s reputation.

Growth and Expansion: Attracting more customers through Value Ad helps service providers expand their client base and build long-term relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and business growth.

Alternative Investment for New Businesses:

For new businesses, the significant cost savings achieved through the Value Ad policy effectively serve as an alternative investment. Instead of spending large amounts on website development and marketing, they can leverage the affordable services provided by service providers. The saved funds can be redirected into other strategic areas of the business, enhancing overall growth and sustainability.

Benefits for Service Providers:

Service providers benefit from the Value Ad policy by gaining access to a ready pool of new customers who are drawn by the discounted rates. This initial customer base is crucial for:

Building Traction: Demonstrating product or service viability to potential investors.

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In Summary:

Value Ad is a strategic policy designed to create a win-win scenario for both new businesses and service providers. By offering significant discounts on essential services, startups can save and reinvest those savings, while service providers gain crucial initial customers and market traction. This mutually beneficial arrangement supports the growth and success of both groups, making Value Ad a powerful tool for business development and investment.

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