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Last update 20/07/2025

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2025 Grants & Loans for Startups & Small Businesses in Lisburn & Castlereagh, NI

🔹 Introduction

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council offers tailored financial support through specialist grants and access to UK-wide government-backed loans. Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, here are the key schemes for 2025.

🔹 Grant & Loan Programmes

1. Heritage Shopfront Scheme

Purpose: Improve shopfronts in conservation areas (Hillsborough & Moira).
Grant: Up to 80%, max £12,500 (excl. VAT) (Facebook, startupgrant.co.uk).
Eligibility: Businesses within the Hillsborough and Moira Conservation Areas.
Link: Heritage Shopfront Scheme – Lisburn & Castlereagh Council (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk)

2. Rural Shopfront Scheme

Purpose: Fund façade improvements in rural villages across the district.
Coverage: Aghalee, Annahilt, Dromara, Drumbeg, Glenavy, Ballinderry, Maghaberry, Milltown, Moneyreagh (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk, lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk).
Grant: Up to 80%, max £12,500 (excl. VAT).
Who Can Apply: Freehold owners or tenants with ≥3-year lease (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk, lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk).
Link & Contact: Rural Shopfront Scheme – Lisburn & Castlereagh Council
Email: becky.colvin@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk)

3. MEA Community Investment Fund

Purpose: Transformational grants for large-scale community or business projects, up to £350k.
Deadline: Last round closed 4 June 2025; watch the Council's Grants & Funding section for future rounds (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk, lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk).
Link: See Grants & Funding on Council website

🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

💼 Start‑Up Loans

Amount: £500–£25,000
Interest: Fixed 6%
Includes: 12 months’ mentoring
Eligibility: UK residents aged 18+, businesses trading under 3 years
Link: Apply – GOV.UK Start‑Up Loan

🔹 Key Resources & Support

Council’s Business & Investment Portal: Hub for grants, events, forms, and support
(lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk)
Go Succeed / Go For It NI: Mentoring, diagnostics, and funding advice via enterprise partners
(NI Business Info)
Invest Northern Ireland: Support for innovation, R&D, exporting, and business growth

🔹 Application Process

Identify your project type (shopfront, rural upgrade, innovation, startup).
Confirm eligibility and view deadlines on the Council portal.
Prepare documents: quotes, business plan, forecasts, ID.
Attend clinic/info session (administered for schemes).
Submit your application through the Council portal or via GOV.UK.
Await outcome — review times vary by scheme.

🔹 Additional Tips

Subscribe to the Council’s Business E‑Zine for news on grant rounds (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk)
Consult enterprise agencies via Go Succeed for diagnostics
Combine a Start‑Up Loan with a grant (rural or heritage)
Use GMAX Card for local business networking support

🔹 Contact & Further Information

📞 Business Support Team: 028 9250 9250
✉️ Heritage Scheme Queries: planning@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
✉️ Rural Scheme Queries: becky.colvin@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
🌐 Council Business Portal: lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/business
Start‑Up Loans: via GOV.UK link above
Invest NI & Enterprise Agencies: Reach services via Go Succeed or Invest NI

🔹 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 What does the Heritage Shopfront Scheme cover?
Up to 80% funding (max £12,500) for restoring shopfronts and signage in Hillsborough & Moira Conservation Areas (startupgrant.co.uk, lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk, lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk).

🔹 Who is eligible for the Rural Shopfront Scheme?
Freehold owners or leaseholders (≥3 years) in Aghalee, Glenavy, etc., can apply for minor façade enhancements (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk).

🔹 What is the Community Investment Fund?
Grants up to £350,000 for transformational community/business projects — future rounds monitored via Council announcements (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk, lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk).

🔹 Are Start‑Up Loans still available?
Yes — UK‑wide £500–£25,000 loans with mentoring are accessible via GOV.UK.

🔹 Can I apply for both a grant and a loan?
Yes — many businesses combine a Start‑Up Loan with a rural or heritage grant. Check scheme rules.

🔹 What documents will I need?
Typical documents: business plan, quotes, financial forecasts, proof of ID, photos, specs.

🔹 Where can I get help with applying?
Contact the Business Support team (028 9250 9250) or enterprise agencies via Go Succeed.

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.

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