🚀 Apply for £10k+ grants with our Startup Launch Kit
shadow shadow shadow shadow shadow
    Last update 29/07/2025

    2025 Grants and Government‑Backed Loans for Start‑ups in St Albans, Hertfordshire, UK


    🌟 Introduction

    This guide outlines current and upcoming funding and loan opportunities available to startups and small businesses in St Albans City & District. Grants that have closed are removed or clearly annotated.


    đź’° Available Grants


    🔹 Community Project Fund (Voluntary & Community Grants)

    • Purpose: Support community-led projects aligned with equality, inclusion, digital access, youth, older people and health priorities.

    • Grant size: £200–£2,000 per project.

    • Round 1 (2025): Closed 30 June 2025.

    • Round 2: Opens late August–September 2025; Round 3 expected January 2026, subject to funding. Projects to be completed by 31 March 2026. (stalbans.gov.uk, stalbans.gov.uk, stalbans.gov.uk)

    • Who can apply: Constituted voluntary/community organisations, social enterprises, CICs serving St Albans residents.

    • Apply via: www.stalbans.gov.uk/grants – check updates for Round 2 opening.

    • Support: Communities 1st offers application help (vcsgrants@stalbans.gov.uk). (stalbans.gov.uk, stalbans.gov.uk)


    🔹 STANTA / Herts Start‑Up Grant (via Growth Hub referral)

    • Purpose: Small grants of £1,000 (start-up) or £3,000 (up to 3 years trading) for local businesses attending free advice/training.

    • Status: See requirement via Wenta Rundown – ensure up-to-date guidance via Growth Hub.St Albans (STANTA). No confirmed 2025 fund; please check local enterprise agencies. (syob.net, hertsgrowthhub.com)


    💼 Government‑Backed Loans


    🔹 Start‑Up Loans – British Business Bank

    • Offer: Up to £25,000 per founder, with free mentoring support.

    • Eligibility: Businesses trading less than 24 months.

    • Apply via: GOV.UK Start‑Up Loan scheme.


    🔹 Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS)

    • Offer: Loans up to £2 million for growth, working capital or export, via accredited lenders.

    • Apply via: British Business Bank portal.


    🏛️ Regional Business Support


    🔹 Hertfordshire Growth Hub – St Albans Access

    • Provides free business advice, workshops, GrantFinder access, and support to apply for Council and national schemes. ([turn0search3]).


    🔹 STANTA (St Albans Enterprise Agency)

    • Offers support, workshops, mentoring and signposting to suitable grants and finance options, including local town centre support.


    âś… Eligibility & Guidance


    • For Community Project Fund grants: your organisation must serve St Albans residents, be constituted and aligned to inclusion priorities. Check Round 2 criteria.

    • Business grants such as STANTA/Herts Start-Up require attending advisory programmes via Growth Hub or STANTA.

    • Growth Hub advisors can help match businesses to national loan funding (Start‑Up Loans, RLS).


    📝 How to Apply – Quick Steps


    1. Identify which support applies: community projects vs business grants vs loans.

    2. Attend information or advisory sessions (e.g., Growth Hub or Communities 1st support).

    3. Draft your project/business plan, outcomes, timeline, cost breakdowns.

    4. Apply via official council forms (Community Project Fund) or through referral networks.

    5. Submit supporting documentation (e.g., constitution, accounts, bank statements for community grants).

    6. Fund deadlines:

      • Community Project Fund Round 2 expected late Aug–Sept 2025

      • National loans apply year‑round

    7. If approved, complete your project by 31 March 2026, submit monitoring outputs where required.


    đź’ˇ Additional Tips


    • Tailor your application to scheme objectives: inclusion, digital access, wellbeing.

    • Use Growth Hub’s free GrantFinder and workshop sessions to strengthen your proposal.

    • Network via STANTA events and Growth Hub forums.

    • Broaden your reach with digital tools such as:
      Gmax Card Business Networking


    📬 Contact & Further Information



    âť“ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    (Extra spacing provided for clarity)


    🔹 Is the Community Project Fund open now?
    Round 1 closed on 30 June 2025. Round 2 is expected to open in late August or September 2025. A third round may follow in January 2026. Projects must complete by 31 March 2026.


    🔹 Who can apply for the Council's community grant?
    Constituted voluntary and community organisations, social enterprises and CICs delivering time-limited projects that benefit St Albans residents. (stalbans.gov.uk)


    🔹 Are there grants for start-up businesses in St Albans?
    There is no standalone Council business grant visible for 2025, but businesses accessing advice via STANTA or Herts Growth Hub may be eligible for start‑up support grants—check current availability.


    🔹 Which loans can startups access?
    Eligible businesses can apply for Start‑Up Loans (up to £25,000) or Recovery Loans (up to £2m) via accredited national lenders.


    🔹 Who provides business grants and funding advice?
    Hertfordshire Growth Hub and STANTA offer free advisory support, workshops, and funding match services for startups and community groups.


    🔹 How do I stay informed about future funding rounds?
    Subscribe to St Albans Council newsletters, Growth Hub updates, and look out for news on the council grants page.


     

     

     

     

    We use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary to operate the website.Please read our cookie policy.

    We use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary to operate the website. Additional cookies are only used with your consent. We use the additional cookies to perform analyses of website usage and to check marketing measures for their efficiency. These analyses are carried out to provide you with a better user experience on the website. You are free to give, deny, or withdraw your consent at any time by using the "cookie settings" link at the bottom of each page. You can consent to our use of cookies by clicking "Agree". For more information about what information is collected and how it is shared with our partners, please read our cookie policy.

    • Required to run the website
    • Monitoring website usage and optimizing the user experience
    • Evaluation of marketing actions
    • Storage of your preferences from previous visits
    • Collecting user feedback to improve our website
    • Recording of your interests in order to provide customised content and offers
    Cookie Settings Accept