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Last update 20/07/2025

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Rochdale 2025: Grants & Government‑Backed Loans for Startups & Small Businesses

Rochdale Borough Council supports entrepreneurs and small enterprises through a mix of government-backed finance, local grants, and regional funding initiatives, all tailored to drive innovation and sustainability.

🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

Start‑Up Loans
Funds of £500–£25,000, with fixed ~6 % APR and 12 months mentoring via the British Business Bank.
👉 Start‑Up Loans
Recovery Loan Scheme / British Business Bank
Tailored loans to assist businesses recovering post‑COVID, eligible via government-backed finance programs.

🔹 Local Grants & Council Support

✅ Rochdale Start‑Up Grant

Covers 50 % of fit-out costs, up to £5,000, for new retailers in designated high‑street units across Rochdale, Heywood, and Middleton.
Covers doors, signage, internal improvements—funded via UKSPF to revitalise town centres (Startup Grant, Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Borough Council).

✅ Innovation Voucher Scheme

Up to £5,000 matched funding for SMEs partnering with research institutions to develop innovative products and services (Rochdale Borough Council).

✅ Greater Manchester Social Investment Fund

Affordable £10,000–£50,000 loans (unsecured, 1–5 year terms), combining grants and loans for social enterprises and community-focused businesses (Rochdale Borough Council).

✅ New & Established Business Loans

Through GC Business Finance / Growth Company—flexible loans integrated with grant support for established SME growth (Rochdale Borough Council).

🔹 Regional & Greater Manchester Finance Options

Greater Manchester Investment Fund
Loans from £500,000 up to £5 million, available to SMEs refused by banks but demonstrating viable job creation potential in GM (Rochdale Borough Council).
GM Combined Authority & Innovation Funds
Supports scale-up, R&D, and cultural projects—e.g., £750,000 from Arts Council England for borough-wide creative investment (Rochdale Borough Council, Greater Manchester Business Board).

💡 How to Secure Funding

Define your need – startup fit‑out, innovation, community impact, scale‑up.
Check eligibility – sector, location (Rochdale Borough), trading status.
Prepare your plan – set out costs, impact, and quotes.
Apply early – grants are first‑come, first‑served via council pages.
Use advice services – contact Rochdale Development Agency and Growth Company for tailored support.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who can apply for the Rochdale Start‑Up Grant?
New retailers in designated town‑centre units (Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton), covering 50 % of costs up to £5k (Rochdale Borough Council).

Q2: What is the Innovation Voucher Scheme?
SMEs can access up to £5k matched funding to work with universities or research bodies on product/service development (Rochdale Borough Council).

Q3: What loans are available for social enterprises?
The GM Social Investment Fund offers £10–50k unsecured loans repayable over 1–5 years. (Rochdale Borough Council)

Q4: Can established businesses get help?
Yes—GC Business Finance offers flexible business growth loans via the council scheme. (Rochdale Borough Council)

Q5: What about larger investments?
The GM Investment Fund provides loans of £500k–£5m, supporting growth and job creation across Greater Manchester (Rochdale Borough Council).

Q6: Are there cultural or innovation grants?
Yes—Rochdale attracted £750k from Arts Council England, part of wider GM creative funding (Greater Manchester Business Board).

Q7: Who can I contact for support?
Call the Growth Company: 0161 245 4977, or Rochdale Development Agency: 01706 927 000, email info@investinrochdale.co.uk (Rochdale Borough Council)

🧭 Next Steps

Visit council pages for grants & application forms:
- Business Grants – Start-Up, Innovation, Social Funds (Rochdale Borough Council)
Contact:
- Growth Company (GC Business Finance) – 0161 245 4977
- Rochdale Development Agency – 01706 927 000 | info@investinrochdale.co.uk
Prepare funding applications with clear project plans, cost breakdowns, and impact statements.

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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