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Last update 21/07/2025

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2025 Grants & Loans for Start‑ups & Small Businesses in Renfrewshire, UK

Introduction

Renfrewshire Council, Business Gateway Renfrewshire, and associated bodies offer a comprehensive set of grants and loans to support start-ups and SMEs. Whether you're launching a business or planning expansion, numerous funding options are available to help you succeed in the region.

Advice on Applying

Contact Business Gateway Renfrewshire
Their expert advisors will help assess your needs, match you to suitable schemes, and support your application preparation (Business Gateway | Business Gateway, startupgrant.co.uk).
Understand Eligibility Criteria
Review each programme’s requirements: trading status, commercial premises, match-funding levels, sector, etc.
Prepare a Strong Application
Include a business plan, financial forecasts, quotes/invoices, and rationale for the funding – clarity is key (startupgrant.co.uk).
Meet Deadlines
Some schemes operate rolling, others close periodically. Early submission boosts your chances.
Seek Support
Business Gateway provides mentoring and workshops. Use these to refine your application (findbusinesssupport.gov.scot).

Grant & Loan Programmes

🔹 New Business Start‑Up Grant

Grants from £300–£1,000 (up to 50% of costs) for those trading under 3 months or pre‑start.
Requires attending three Gateway workshops and working with an adviser (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk, findbusinesssupport.gov.scot).

🔹 Business Resilience Grant

Up to £10,000 matching 50% of eligible costs (equipment, expansion, new products).
Aimed at SMEs to adapt post‑pandemic, except wages and routine stock (investinrenfrewshire.com, startupgrant.co.uk).

🔹 Town Centre Premises Grant

Up to £25,000 (50%) to occupy or refurbish vacant ground-floor commercial premises in key town centres like Paisley and Johnstone (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

🔹 Digital Development Grant

Up to £10,000 (50%) to implement new digital systems and improve operational efficiency (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

🔹 Net Zero Business Grant

Up to £10,000 (50%) to adopt low‑carbon technologies (e.g. solar, heat systems), excluding consultant or staff costs (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

🔹 Retail Improvement Scheme (RIS)

Grants of £1,000–£12,000 (up to 70%) to enhance shopfronts in retail/town centre premises (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

🔹 Business Restart Loan

Interest-free loans from £1,000–£5,000, repayable over 3 years, via Right Way Credit Union, to support cashflow (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

🔹 Business Loans Scotland

Loans up to £100,000 to SMEs, in partnership with private lenders (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk, Business Gateway | Business Gateway).

🔹 Creative Business Hubs Funding

Subsidies for creative enterprises locating in shared workspace (hot desks, studios, mentoring) (investinrenfrewshire.com).

🔹 Training Grant

Up to £2,000 (manufacturer/B2B focus) towards staff training for development projects (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

Key Resources & Contact Info

Resource	Details
Business Gateway Renfrewshire	Advice, support, workshops. Tel: 0141 530 2406 (Business Gateway \| Business Gateway, www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk)
Council Business Grants & Loans	Full details and application forms at Council site (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk, investinrenfrewshire.com)
Business Loans Scotland	National small business loan fund up to £100k (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk, Business Gateway \| Business Gateway)
Find Business Support	Scottish Government portal for regional funding (Business Gateway \| Business Gateway, www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 What is the New Business Start‑Up Grant?
Grants up to £1,000 (max 50%) covering start-up costs for early-stage businesses engaging with Business Gateway (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

▫️ How much is the Business Resilience Grant?
Up to £10,000, covering 50% of qualifying growth and recovery-related costs (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

🔹 Is there a grant for shopfront improvements?
Yes—the Retail Improvement Scheme offers £1k–£12k, up to 70% of costs (www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

▫️ Can I install solar panels through grant funding?
Yes, under the Net Zero Business Grant (≤£10k, 50% funding) (investinrenfrewshire.com).

🔹 What loan support exists?
Interest-free Business Restart Loans (£1k–£5k) via Credit Union, and Business Loans Scotland up to £100k (startupgrant.co.uk, www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk).

Value AD

2025

100% FREE

BUSINESS TOOl

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.

Securing Funding: Enhanced customer traction and a growing user base can make the service provider more attractive to venture capitalists and other funding sources.

Market Penetration: Establishing a presence in the market quickly and efficiently without heavy marketing expenditures.

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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