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Last update 24/07/2025

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Updated 2025 Grants and Loans Guide – West Lancashire, UK

Available Grants

Although West Lancashire Borough Council doesn’t offer direct grants, it provides links and advice via its business support page:

🔗 West Lancashire Borough Council – Support to Start or Grow Your Business (westlancs.gov.uk)

✅ NEW – Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)

West Lancashire receives REPF grants for rural business capital projects (e.g. farm diversification, machinery) (Wyre Council)
🔗 REPF Applicant Handbook 2023–2025 (PDF)

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Start‑Up Loans

Up to £25,000 + free mentoring
Eligibility: UK businesses less than 36 months old
🔗 Start‑Up Loans – Official Site

🔹 Business Finance Support Finder

Helps match your business to suitable grants, loans or equity funding
🔗 Business Finance Support Finder

Regional Resources

🔹 Boost: Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub

Provides expert advice, mentoring, events, and finance support for start-ups and scale‑ups in Lancashire
🔗 Boost Lancashire – Home & Contact (Wyre Council, Creative Lancashire, GOV.UK, westlancs.gov.uk, Boost Business Lancashire)
📞 0800 488 0057 | ✉️ info@boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk

Local Council Support

West Lancashire Borough Council’s Economic Regeneration team offers tailored business guidance:

🔗 Council Business Advice & Support (Boost Business Lancashire, westlancs.gov.uk)
📧 lets.talk@westlancs.gov.uk | 📞 01695 712692

Eligibility Guidance

Use the Business Finance Support Finder to identify suitable funding
🔗 Find Government‑backed Finance
Contact the Economic Regeneration team at West Lancashire for personalised help
🔗 Council Business Advice & Support (westlancs.gov.uk)
Reach out to Boost Lancashire to learn about regional schemes and access to finance
🔗 Boost – Home (LinkedIn, Boost Business Lancashire)

Application Process

Define your funding needs precisely
Research relevant grants/loans using listed tools
Prepare a robust business plan (covering objectives, financial forecasts, market research)
Apply via provider’s site (e.g. Start‑Up Loans or GOV.UK tool)
Submit required documents (plan, forecasts, bank statements)
Await feedback and follow up on any requests for clarification

Additional Tips

Network locally via platforms like Gmax Card to access advice and opportunities
🔗 Gmax Card – Business Networking
Join events and mentoring sessions offered by Council and Boost
Subscribe to newsletters from GOV.UK, Boost, and West Lancashire Council

Contact & Further Information

🔗 West Lancashire Business Support
🔗 Boost Business Lancashire (Boost Business Lancashire)
🔗 Start‑Up Loans – Application Page

FAQs

🔹 Does West Lancashire Borough Council offer business grants?
They don’t have fixed grant schemes, but offer advice and links to funding opportunities.

🔹 How much can I borrow with Start‑Up Loans?
Up to £25,000, with free mentoring support included.

🔹 How do I find suitable funding?
Use the Business Finance Support Finder to search for loans, grants, or equity.

🔹 What support does Boost Lancashire offer?
Advice, mentoring, events, and finance search support for Lancashire businesses.

🔹 Why is a business plan important?
It demonstrates viability and sets out how funding will support your growth.

🔹 Can networking improve funding chances?
Yes — connecting with peers often reveals new pathways and collaborations.

🔹 What should be in a business plan for funding?
Include a business description, market analysis, financial forecasts, and a plan for using funds.

🔹 How do I apply for Start‑Up Loans?
Visit Start‑Up Loans apply, complete the form, and upload your plan and documents.

🔹 How do I stay updated on funding opportunities?
Sign up for newsletters, check GOV.UK and Council pages regularly, and keep in touch with Boost.

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