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    Last update 22/07/2025

    2025 Grants and Loans for Small Businesses in Gloucester, UK


    🔹 Introduction

    Gloucester City and surrounding areas benefit from a supportive ecosystem—encompassing national, regional, and local funding schemes, including grants, government-backed loans, mentoring, and advisory services.


    🔹 Available Grants

    UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF – Gloucester City Council)

    • Purpose: Supports city centre regeneration, business development, digital improvements, culture, and green space enhancements.

    • Amount: Gloucester received £1.97m (including £486,000 in March 2025 allocations) (Gloucester City Council, Gloucester City Council).

    • Examples: Funding young entrepreneurs, empty-shop pop-ups, business advice, signage improvements, and nature park projects (Gloucester City Council).

    • Apply: Watch the Gloucester City Council Business Grants page or contact the Economic Development Team (eds@gloucester.gov.uk).


    Animate: Explore Community Fund

    • Purpose: Up to £1,000 for local events or projects.

    • Deadlines:

      • Round 1: 8 Nov 2024–18 Jan 2025 (for April 2025–March 2026 events).

      • Round 2: 31 Mar–23 May 2025 (Visit Gloucester).

    • Apply: Via Visit Gloucester’s Business Support page on Animate: Explore.


    £20,000 Made Smarter Manufacturing Grants

    • Purpose: Matches SMEs adopting digital technologies in manufacturing.

    • Amount: Up to £20,000, plus mentoring, internships, and digital roadmapping (Visit Gloucester, SoGlos).

    • Eligibility: Manufacturing SMEs with ≤250 employees and £50m turnover.

    • Apply: Register via Made Smarter Southwest partners.


    Gloucestershire County “Sufficiency” Grants (Early Years Providers)

    • Purpose: Revenue grants to expand childcare places for under‑3s (staffing, resources, IT).

    • Window: 28 Jan–14 Feb 2025 via County Council portal (SoGlos, Gloucestershire County Council).


    🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

    Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)


    🔹 Local Support & Programmes

    The Growth Hub Gloucestershire

    • Support: Free business advice, mentoring, workshops (net zero, innovation) (The Growth Hub Gloucestershire).

    • Access: Register online; local hubs across Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, etc.


    Gloucester City Council – Economic Development


    🔹 Eligibility Guidance

    • Use GOV.UK Business Finance & Support tool to explore national schemes.

    • Contact Growth Hub for tailored guidance.

    • Register for updates on Gloucester Business Grants page.


    🔹 Application Process

    1. Identify your goals – e.g., event funding, manufacturing digitalisation, childcare expansion.

    2. Find matching schemes – national, county, city, or sector-based.

    3. Confirm eligibility – check business type, location, size.

    4. Gather documents – plans, forecasts, quotes, project details, evidence of impact.

    5. Apply – through council, Growth Hub, Visit Gloucester, or County Council portals.

    6. Follow up – track deadlines, respond promptly to enquiries.


    🔹 Additional Tips

    • Network & Mentor: Use Growth Hub events, peer learning, and the GMAX Card networking platform.

    • Stay Informed: Subscribe to newsletters from Gloucester City Council, Growth Hub, and GOV.UK.

    • Leverage Local Events: Apply early for Animate Explore small grants and collaborate with Visit Gloucester.


    🔹 Contact & Further Information


    âť“ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

     

    🔹 What grants are available in Gloucester?
    UKSPF city projects, community Animate Explore grants (≤£1,000), Made Smarter manufacturing grants (≤£20,000), and childcare sufficiency grants for under‑3s.

     

    🔹 When can I apply for the Animate Explore fund?
    Round 2 runs from 31 March to 23 May 2025, covering projects from August 2025 onwards (Gloucester City Council, Visit Gloucester).

     

    🔹 Who qualifies for Made Smarter grants?
    Manufacturing SMEs in Gloucestershire with ≤250 employees and ≤£50m turnover (SoGlos).

     

    🔹 How do I access business mentoring and support?
    Register at the Growth Hub for free one-to-one mentoring, workshops, and net‑zero/business planning support (The Growth Hub Gloucestershire, The Growth Hub Gloucestershire).

     

    🔹 Can I get support if I run a nursery or early years setting?
    Yes—sufficiency revenue grants were available from 28 Jan to 14 Feb 2025 via the County Council (Gloucestershire County Council).

     

    🔹 What loans are available?
    Apply for up to £25k via Start‑Up Loans, with fixed 6% interest and free mentoring.

     

    🔹 What documents do I need?
    Business plan, financial forecasts, project statements, cost breakdowns, eligibility proof, and (if relevant) managerial evidence.

     

    🔹 How can I stay updated on new funding?
    Sign up for Growth Hub, Council, and NHS/Early Years bulletins and alerts via GOV.UK.

     

    🔹 Where should I start?

    1. Define your project.

    2. Explore relevant grants/loans.

    3. Confirm eligibility.

    4. Contact Growth Hub or the Council team.

    5. Prepare applications.

    6. Apply and follow up promptly.

     

     

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