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    Last update 22/07/2025

    2025 Grants and Loans for Small Businesses in Eastleigh, UK


    🔹 Introduction

    Eastleigh Borough Council, along with the former Solent LEP (now replaced by the Solent Growth Hub functions), supports local businesses through government-backed loans, grants and incentives, business rates relief, and advisory programmes.


    🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

    Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

    • Amount: £500–£25,000

    • Interest: Fixed 6% per annum, with mentoring support

    • Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, trading under 36 months

    • Apply via: 👉 GOV.UK – Apply for a Start‑Up Loan


    🔹 Local Grants & Support

    Eastleigh Borough Business Grants Page

    EV Chargepoint Grant

    • Purpose: Funding for installing electric vehicle charging points for businesses

    • Access via: Listed on Eastleigh’s grants page (eastleigh.gov.uk)


    Community Grants (Town Council)

    • Provider: Eastleigh Town Council

    • Amount: Up to £800 per not-for-profit project

    • Eligibility: Charities or voluntary/community organisations

    • Window: 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026 (Eastleigh)

    • Apply via: 👉 Eastleigh Town Council Community Grants


    🔹 Regional Business Support

    Solent Growth Hub (formerly Solent LEP)

    • Coverage: Eastleigh and the wider Solent area (Eastleigh, Solent Cluster)

    • Services:

      • Tech Growth mentoring (through Tech Solent) (solentlep.org.uk)

      • Access to grant programmes like Gigabit vouchers, Innovate UK, SEIS

    • Apply via: Solent Growth Hub portal or through council referral


    🔹 Business Rates Relief

    Transitional & Relief Schemes


    🔹 How to Access Support

    1. Define your business need – e.g. start‑up loan, community grant, EV charger, tech mentoring

    2. Check eligibility – use council grants page and community fund details

    3. Prepare proposal – including business plan, costings, forecasts

    4. Apply – via GOV.UK for loans, council site for grants, Solent Growth Hub for mentoring

    5. Follow up – engage with advisors, monitor deadlines


    🔹 Additional Tips

    • Contact Eastleigh Business Grants team for guidance (Eastleigh BID)

    • Apply early – EV charger grants run in cycles

    • Explore partnerships – Eastleigh BID offers town centre support and events (Eastleigh BID)

    • Tech businesses: apply for free 1:1 support via Tech Growth Programme (solentlep.org.uk)


    🔹 Contact & Further Information

    • Start‑Up Loans: via GOV.UK portal

    • Eastleigh Business Grants & advice: 023 8068 8000 (eastleigh.gov.uk)

    • Electric chargepoint grants & EV support: via grants page (eastleigh.gov.uk)

    • Community Grants: Eastleigh Town Council – apply between April 2025–March 2026 (Eastleigh)

    • Solent Growth Hub / Tech Growth mentoring: via LEP site (eastleigh.gov.uk)


    ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

     

    🔹 Can I get a loan to start a business in Eastleigh?
    Yes—Start‑Up Loans from £500 to £25,000 at fixed 6% interest, with mentoring, are available via GOV.UK.

     

    🔹 Are there business grants for EV chargepoints?
    Yes—Eastleigh Borough Council offers EV chargepoint grants via its business grants page (eastleigh.gov.uk).

     

    🔹 Can community groups apply for local grants?
    Eastleigh Town Council offers community grants up to £800 for not-for-profits from April 2025 to March 2026 (Eastleigh).

     

    🔹 Is there tech or innovation support in the area?
    Yes—Tech Growth Programme offers free 1:1 mentoring for tech businesses across the Solent (solentlep.org.uk).

     

    🔹 Who can guide me through funding options?
    Contact Eastleigh’s Business Grants helpline (023 8068 8000) or Solent Growth Hub advisors via council referral.

     

    🔹 Can I apply for national funding schemes?
    Yes—the grants page provides signposting to schemes like Innovate UK, SEIS, and Gigabit vouchers (eastleigh.gov.uk).

     

     

     

     

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