2025 Grants and Government‑Backed Loans for Start‑ups in Surrey Heath, Surrey, UK

🌟 Introduction

Starting or growing a business in Surrey Heath Borough? This guide presents the most current grants, government‑backed loan options, and local business support services available to entrepreneurs, with verified links and eligibility details.

💰 Available Grants

🔹 Surrey Heath UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Programmes

• Purpose: Council-supported community and business programmes funded via UKSPF, investing in business support networks, workspace projects, decarbonisation and marketing initiatives.

• Amount: Council received up to £1 million by March 2025 to deliver multiple local initiatives.

• Use: Includes business support events, networks, pop-up shops, visitor economy projects, and SME decarbonisation help.

• Apply via: - (Surrey Heath Borough Council)

🔹 Local Community Improvement Fund (CIL‑based)

• Purpose: Capital grants supporting physical infrastructure: community facilities, digital projects, open space, and climate‑focused work.

• Amount: Typically, small‑scale grants for community groups or schemes.

• Eligibility: Non‑parished areas or groups in the borough.

• Next round: Opens 1 July 2025, closes 31 July 2025. Decisions made by the council Executive with local ward input.

• Apply via:
  (Surrey Heath Borough Council)

🔹 Community Energy Fund (Net‑Zero Feasibility Grants)

• Purpose: Support community-led clean energy projects (e.g. solar, EV infrastructure).

• Amount: Feasibility and planning grants.

• Eligibility: Registered community organisations (e.g. CICs, charities, parish groups).

• Status: Ongoing funding rounds until early 2025.

• Apply via:
  Greater South East Net Zero Hub portal (link via council page) (Surrey Heath Borough Council)

🔹 Your Fund Surrey Small Community Projects – Surrey Heath

• Purpose: Community capital projects such as building upgrades, solar panels, and hall refurbishments.

• Amount: £1,000–£100,000.

• Status: Closed 31 March 2025 for new applications. Funds allocated via local councillors.

• Apply via:
  Surrey County Council – Your Fund Surrey Small Projects: Surrey Heath (Surrey County Council)

💼 Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans – British Business Bank

• What it is: Personalised loans up to £25,000 for new businesses (under 24 months old), plus mentoring and planning support.

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

🔹 Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS)

• What it is: Broad-based loans for growth, cash‑flow management or exports, up to £2 million via accredited lenders.

• Check eligibility & apply via:
  British Business Bank’s RLS portal

🏛️ Local & Regional Business Support

🔹 Surrey Heath Borough Council – Business Support

• Offers general business advice, signposts to UKSPF-funded support, and newsletter updates for local business opportunities.

• Visit:
  [Surrey Heath Borough Council – Business support page] (Business Surrey, Surrey Heath Borough Council)

🔹 Surrey County Council – Surrey Economic Growth Fund

• Purpose: County-wide grants to drive business growth and innovation.

• Streams: Business Growth Grants (£10k–£50k match‑funded), Innovation Spaces Fund (from £50k), Future Surrey Fund (high‑impact bids).

• Status: Round one applications open until May 2026 with £7 million budget.

• Apply via:
  Surrey County Council / Business Surrey Economic Growth Fund (Facebook, Surrey County Council)

🔹 Surrey Decarbonisation Support for SMEs

• Purpose: Enables businesses (<250 employees) in Surrey Heath to receive free assessments and access decarbonisation loans (£5k–£15k at up to 50% funding). Includes workshops and carbon calculators.

• Eligibility: Companies based in Surrey Heath, Woking, Guildford, Reigate & Banstead, etc.

• Apply via:
  Business Surrey – Decarbonisation support page (Business Surrey)

✅ Eligibility Guidance

• Use the GOV.UK Business Finance Support Finder to explore national funding schemes.

• Check Surrey Heath Borough Council pages for UKSPF‑related support and business newsletter sign‑up.

• Consult Business Surrey (Surrey County Council) for county-wide Growth Fund and SME decarbonisation support.

• Contact the local economic development team via email (e.g. economic.development@surreyheath.gov.uk) for personalised guidance. (Surrey Heath Borough Council)

📝 Application Process

1. Identify relevant grant or loan options based on your business location, type and development stage.

2. Prepare essential documents: ID, proof of address, succinct business plan or project outline, quotes or maps, and evidence of match funding if required.

3. Draft a clear proposal: include objectives, funding allocation and expected outcomes.

4. Submit application using official channels (e.g. UKSPF links, CIL application, Business Surrey portal).

5. Provide supporting documentation—planning details, community letters, cost breakdowns.

6. Attend any interview or committee meetings if requested.

7. Await decision: community infrastructure rounds twice annually; Surrey Growth Fund quarterly rounds; UKSPF projects run until funding is exhausted.

8. If successful, spend in line with scheme rules, provide receipts and adhere to reporting requirements.

🧠 Additional Tips

• Be specific about the purpose of funding and the amount required.

• Tailor applications to fund type: infrastructure, sustainability, community benefit or decarbonisation.

• Attend council or Business Surrey workshops and webinars to improve proposal quality.

• Join local networking activities or business support groups for insight and mentoring.

• Consider broader networking tools like:
  https://www.gmaxcard.com/business-networking

📬 Contact & Further Information

• Surrey Heath Borough Council – Business support & UKSPF:
  [Surrey Heath – Business Support & UKSPF] (Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Surrey Heath Borough Council, Facebook)

• Local Community Improvement Fund:
  [Surrey Heath – CIL Fund Guidance & Applications] (Surrey Heath Borough Council)

• Kent & Medway Growth Hub via Business Surrey (including decarbonisation support):
  [Business Surrey – Decarbonisation & Growth Fund] (Surrey County Council, Business Surrey)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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🔹 What grants are available in Surrey Heath?
Surrey Heath’s UKSPF-funded projects deliver pop‑up business networks, SME decarbonisation support, visitor economy promotion and more. Community groups can also apply to the Local Community Improvement Fund. (Surrey Heath Borough Council)

🔹 Can local businesses apply for decarbonisation loans?
Yes—eligible SMEs in Surrey Heath can undertake a free business decarbonisation assessment and access a loan of £5,000–£15,000 to improve energy efficiency. (Business Surrey)

🔹 Are there council-backed capital grants?
Yes—the Local Community Improvement Fund offers infrastructure and climate initiative grants through Community Infrastructure Levy funding. The next round runs 1–31 July 2025. (Surrey Heath Borough Council)

🔹 What is the Surrey Economic Growth Fund?
A county-wide grant scheme offering Business Growth Grants, Innovation Spaces funding, and a Future Surrey Fund for large-scale high-growth ideas. Eligible businesses include SMEs and community groups. (Surrey County Council)

🔹 Can limited grant schemes restrict startups?
While there’s no dedicated startup grant from Surrey Heath, national loans (e.g. Start-Up Loans) and county programmes (Surrey Growth Fund, decarbonisation support) fill the gap. Contact the council for local business advice and newsletter updates. (Surrey Heath Borough Council, Surrey Heath Borough Council)

🔹 Where can I get help applying?
Contact Surrey Heath’s Business Support team or Surrey County Council’s Business Surrey advisors for mentoring. Free workshops and funding-round briefings are regularly offered. (Business Surrey)

🔹 How long does approval take?
Application periods vary: broadband infrastructure and community project rounds launch mid-year; Surrey Growth Fund runs quarterly rounds; decarbonisation loan approvals follow business assessments.

🔹 What documents do I need to apply?
Typically required: photo ID, proof of address, business plan/project proposal, cost breakdown or quotes, match funding evidence (if relevant), and supporting material like maps, designs or letters.

🔹 How to stay updated on future funding rounds?
Sign up for Surrey Heath business newsletters, follow Business Surrey updates, and attend local engagements announced on council and county sites. (Surrey Heath Borough Council)