🚀 Apply for £10k+ grants with our Startup Launch Kit

Learn More

Get Support

National Grants

National Grants Get My Funding Pack How To Apply Eligibility Create Business Plan Preparation For Grants Get Support

Last update 01/08/2025

Request a call

2025 Grants & Government-Backed Loans for Start‑ups in South Ribble, UK

🏢 Local Business Support

South Ribble Borough Council offers business support services and occasional grant schemes. While specific grants may not always be live, they maintain contacts and events to help you stay informed.

🔗 South Ribble Business Grants
https://www.southribble.gov.uk/business-economy/business-grants (South Ribble)

💰 Active Local Grant Schemes

🔹 Vacant Commercial Property Grant

Purpose: Supports businesses expanding into vacant commercial premises.
Grant Size: Up to £15,000.
Status: Open on a first-come, first-served basis. Expression of interest required via econdevt@southribble.gov.uk.
Apply via: South Ribble Borough Council Economic Development email. (South Ribble)

🔹 Biodiversity Improvement Grant (Climate Team)

Purpose: Small grants (up to £200) for community biodiversity projects.
Eligible Applicants: Community groups, schools, businesses, and faith groups.
Status: Open monthly, with grants until the funding cap is reached.
Apply via: climate.emergency@southribble.gov.uk. (South Ribble)

🔹 Skills & Training Grant – Boost Business Lancashire

Purpose: Training grants (up to £1,200) to upskill employees via accredited courses.
Eligibility: Businesses registered in South Ribble.
Status: Currently active.
Apply via: Boost Business Lancashire support website. (GrantFinder, Boost Business Lancashire)

💳 Government-Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans (British Business Bank)

Details: Up to £25,000 per founder, includes 12 months of mentoring.
Eligibility: Trading under 36 months (some providers allow up to 36 months).
🔗 Apply: https://www.startuploans.co.uk

🔹 Business Finance Support Finder (GOV.UK)

Tool: Custom match to grants, loans, and support schemes based on your business profile.
🔗 Explore: https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support

🌍 Regional Support – Lancashire Business Growth Hub

Boost Business Lancashire “Access to Finance” Service

Offer: One-to-one expert support to secure growth finance, loans, or investment.
Status: Open through Boost until March 2025—last call.
🔗 Contact: via the Boost website or info@businessinsouthribble.com.
(startupgrant.co.uk, Lancashire County Council News)

Growth Catalyst, Scale to Thrive, Flying Start

Fully funded programmes for business growth, innovation, scaling, or start-up launch.
Available to businesses in South Ribble via Boost partnership. (South Ribble)

📝 How to Apply – Quick Guide

Choose a suitable funding option: vacant premises grant, biodiversity grant, training grant, national loan, or regional support scheme.
Contact the relevant administrator or attend local drop-in sessions (e.g. July 2025 grant launch event).
Prepare documentation: business plan, income forecast, bank statements, quotes, certificates.
Submit a formal request: EOI for premises or download application forms by email.
Track application rounds—some open seasonally or monthly (biodiversity, training), others close when funds run out.
If successful, meet project delivery and reporting deadlines (e.g. biodiversity within 6 months).

💡 Additional Business Tips

Highlight how grants contribute to business growth, the environment, skills upskilling, or community benefits.
Align applications with council priorities such as carbon reduction, local expansion, or biodiversity.
Use advisory clinics via Boost to refine financial and business propositions.
Stay plugged into resources like Gmax Card Business Networking

📞 Contact & Resources

**South Ribble Borough Council – Business Grants & Economic Development**
📧 econdevt@southribble.gov.uk
🔗 southribble.gov.uk/business-economy/business-grants
Boost Business Lancashire / Access to Finance
🔗 boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk
📧 info@businessinsouthribble.com
Boost Support Drop-In Events (e.g. July 2025 launch session)
🔗 via South Ribble Events calendar. (southribbleevents.evolutive.co.uk, South Ribble, South Ribble, Boost Business Lancashire, South Ribble)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

(Extra spacing for readability)

🔹 Are there any direct council grants open right now?
Yes—the Vacant Commercial Property Grant (£15k) and Biodiversity Improvement Grants (up to £200) are actively open.

🔹 Can I get training funding?
Yes—through the Skills & Training Grant, eligible for course qualification funding (up to £1,200).

🔹 How do I finance starting a business?
Use Start‑Up Loans (up to £25k) and request support via Boost’s Access to Finance service for applications.

🔹 Who can access growth programmes via Boost?
All South Ribble businesses can register for Flying Start, Growth Catalyst, and Scale to Thrive programmes until March 2025.

🔹 Is environmental grant funding available?
Yes—Biodiversity Improvement Grants support community-based green or pollution reduction projects up to £200 per group.

🔹 How do I keep up with new funding rounds?
Subscribe to newsletters via South Ribble Council, and attend Boost or council-run business clinics.

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.

FREE BUSINESS TOOLS