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Last update 20/07/2025

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2025 Grants & Loans for Startups & Small Businesses in Trafford, UK

Introduction

Trafford Council supports startups, small businesses, and new ventures through expert guidance and access to funding opportunities. While direct grants are limited, the council facilitates access to various local and national support programmes.

Trafford Council Support

🔹 Business Support & Financial Advice

Trafford Council offers free, comprehensive services to help businesses identify and apply for grants and loan schemes (trafford.gov.uk).
Support includes funding advice, application guidance, workshops, and one‑to‑one assistance.

Local Grants

🔹 Trafford Shop Improvement Grant

Grant value: Up to £10,000 (50% match‑funded) for shop front refurbishment, interior upgrades, lighting, and accessibility improvements (trafford.gov.uk).
Coverage: Applies to retail properties in Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, Urmston, Timperley, Hale, and other district centres (Altrincham Today).
Deadline: 30 June 2025 or until funds are depleted (Altrincham Today).
Applications open: Funds relaunched for mid‑2025 under UK Shared Prosperity Fund (trafford.gov.uk).

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans

Offering £500–£25,000 with fixed ~6% APR and 12 months mentoring.
Available to UK residents launching or running a business for less than three years.
Apply at https://www.startuploans.co.uk

🔹 British Business Bank & Northern Powerhouse Fund

Access to recovery loan-style financing and growth capital via national schemes.
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (Northern Powerhouse II) allocates loans from £25,000 to £2 million and equity up to £5 million. Over £80 million was delivered across Northern England in its first year (Altrincham Today, The Times).
Ideal for businesses seeking substantial growth funding in Trafford.

Other Funding Options

🔹 Private Investment

Angel investors and venture capitalists can support high‑growth businesses.
Consider platforms like Angel Investment Network or local VC groups.

How to Find the Right Funding

Identify your need: Are you refurbishing premises, launching digitally, or scaling up?
Research schemes: Use Trafford Council’s support pages and British Business Bank resources.
Check eligibility for grants vs loans.
Build a strong plan: Include a clear pitch, financials, and market analysis.
Seek expert support: Engage Trafford Council advisors or business mentors.
Apply online, attend any workshops, and submit all required documents.

Contact & Further Information

Trafford Council Business Support
Website: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/business/business-support-advice-and-funding/Business-support-advice-and-funding.aspx (trafford.gov.uk)
Email: business@trafford.gov.uk
Phone: 0161 912 5000
Trafford Shop Improvement Grant
Application info: https://www.trafford.gov.uk/business/business-support-advice-and-funding/Trafford-Shop-Improvement-Grant.aspx (trafford.gov.uk)
Start‑Up Loans: https://www.startuploans.co.uk
British Business Bank / Northern Powerhouse II Fund: via British Business Bank’s finance portal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

▫️ What support does Trafford Council offer?
Advice, mentoring, and assistance applying for funding via grants or national loan schemes.

▫️ Can I get a match‑funded grant for shop improvements?
Yes. Grants of up to £10,000 (50%) are available for shop refurbishments in Trafford district centres. Applications must be submitted by 30 June 2025 (trafford.gov.uk, Altrincham Today, trafford.gov.uk, visitaltrincham.com).

▫️ What loans are available?
Start‑Up Loans (£500–£25,000) with mentoring, plus regional funding options like the Northern Powerhouse II Fund for larger investments (The Times).

▫️ Who can access Start‑Up Loans?
UK residents starting a new business or running a business for less than three years.

▫️ How can I access larger growth funding?
Apply via British Business Bank’s Northern Powerhouse initiatives; loans range from £25k–£2m, equity up to £5m (The Times).

▫️ How soon will I hear back?
Local grants: within weeks; regional loans: expect 4–12 weeks, depending on the scheme.

▫️ Can I combine grants and loans?
Yes, combining a shop improvement grant with a loan for finance is allowed if the eligibility criteria are met.

▫️ Where can I get help preparing my application?
Contact Trafford Council Business Support by email or phone; they offer workshops and one‑to‑one guidance.

▫️ What documentation do I need?
Quoted costs, ID and address proof, business or project plan, and any required financial forecasts.

▫️ Are there specific funds for sustainability or accessibility improvements?
Yes—shop grant can be used for energy efficiency and disabled access enhancements (Altrincham Today).

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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