Startup Grants in Oadby & Wigston

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Last update 11/08/2025

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2025 Grants and Loans for Startups and Small Businesses in Oadby & Wigston, UK

Introduction

Starting or expanding your business in Oadby & Wigston has never been easier with several funding options available in 2025. Whether you're looking for grants or government-backed loans, there are opportunities to help support your business's growth. This guide provides a detailed overview of the grants, loans, and local support available to businesses in the area.

Available Grants in Oadby & Wigston

Shop Front Improvement Scheme (UKSPF Funded)

Purpose: Designed to help local businesses enhance their shopfronts, including improvements to signage, painting, lighting, and security features.
Grant Value: Up to £2,000, matched by the applicant. The funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while available funds last.
Eligibility: Open to businesses with commercial premises throughout Oadby & Wigston. The improvements must be visible from the street. This grant is not restricted to town centres.
How to Apply:
1. Complete the application form with sketches, photos, cost estimates, and proof of lease or ownership.
2. Submit your application to ukspf@oadby-wigston.gov.uk.
Link: Oadby & Wigston UKSPF Shop Front Improvement Scheme

Government-Backed Loan Option

Start-Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Summary: A government-backed initiative offering unsecured loans to new and early-stage businesses across the UK.
Loan Value: £500 to £25,000.
Support Package: Includes free mentoring and access to business training, designed to help you get your business off the ground.
Eligibility: Open to UK residents aged 18+, with businesses that are pre-start or trading for less than 36 months.
How to Apply: Apply directly through the official GOV.UK Start-Up Loans portal.
Link: Start-Up Loans

Local & Regional Business Support

Business Gateway Growth Hub (Leicester & Leicestershire)

Role: Provides free guidance on grants, business growth, and signposting to additional support programmes.
How to Connect:
- Submit an enquiry form
- Attend local events
- Call the support team for advice
Contact:
Phone: 0116 454 2917
Email: growthhub@bizgateway.org.uk
Website: Business Gateway Growth Hub

Leicestershire Business Advice Service (Delivered by Exemplas)

Overview: This UKSPF-funded service offers free advice, workshops, and consultancy to businesses across Leicestershire, including Oadby & Wigston.
Access: Visit lbas.online to enquire and register for support.
Link: Leicestershire Business Advice Service

Eligibility Summary

Shop Front Scheme: Open to businesses across the borough with commercial premises; matched funding required.
Start-Up Loans: Available to UK residents aged 18+ launching or scaling their businesses.
Gateway & Exemplas Services: Free support for local businesses from start-up to scale-up.

Application Process

Select the appropriate funding route: Choose between the Shop Front grant or Start-Up Loan.
Prepare relevant documentation: This includes a business plan, quotes for improvements, and evidence of match funding.
Submit your application:
- For the Shop Front grant, email your application to ukspf@oadby-wigston.gov.uk.
- For Start-Up Loans, apply via the GOV.UK Start-Up Loans portal.
Follow-up: Some grants may require site visits or interviews to assess the application.
Approval: Grant approval is based on availability, while Start-Up Loans typically take 3–4 weeks for processing.

Tips for a Strong Application

Apply early: The Shop Front Improvement Scheme is limited, so apply as soon as possible to secure funding.
Keep detailed records: Retain all quotes, receipts, and before/after photos to ensure smooth processing.
Attend workshops: The Business Gateway offers workshops to strengthen your application and business plan.
Use complementary support: Make use of free advisory sessions through Gateway and Exemplas to refine your business plan.

Contact & Resource Summary

Oadby & Wigston Borough Council – Business Support
Phone: 0116 288 8961
Email: planning@oadby-wigston.gov.uk
Website: Oadby & Wigston Borough Council Business Support
Business Gateway Growth Hub
Phone: 0116 454 2917
Email: growthhub@bizgateway.org.uk
Website: Business Gateway Growth Hub
Leicestershire Business Advice Service via Exemplas
Website: Leicestershire Business Advice Service
Start-Up Loans
Website: GOV.UK Start-Up Loans

FAQs — Oadby & Wigston Business Funding (2025)

🔹 Can online or home-based businesses access grants?

The Shop Front scheme is limited to businesses with commercial premises, but the Gateway and Exemplas services can help identify suitable regional or national opportunities for digital ventures.

🔹 What cash support is available?

Shop Front grant: Up to £2,000
Start-Up Loan: Up to £25,000

🔹 Can I apply even if not formally registered?

Yes, Start-Up Loans are available even if your business is not yet formally registered. However, premises-based grants like the Shop Front scheme require you to be trading from a commercial property.

🔹 Is a business plan mandatory?

Yes, a business plan with financial projections and growth justification is necessary for both loan and grant applications.

🔹 How long does approval take?

Start-Up Loans: Typically 3–4 weeks.
Grants: Approval time varies depending on fund availability.

🔹 Can I combine funding options?

Yes, grants and loans can be used together if the eligibility criteria are met.

🔹 Are there application fees?

No application fees are required for council-administered grants or government-backed loans; however, loans will accrue interest.

🔹 Is high growth required for these funding options?

High growth is not a strict requirement. For grants like the Shop Front scheme, the focus is on local impact and business sustainability.

🔹 Can funding cover marketing training or digital tools?

Start-Up Loans can be used for a variety of business expenses, including marketing and digital tools. Grants, however, are restricted to eligible shop-front improvements.

Value AD

2025

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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.

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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