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Last update 20/07/2025

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Grants & Government‑Backed Loans in Oldham (2025 Support Guide)

Oldham Council fosters local business growth through access to government‑backed loans, local grants, and regional support schemes tailored to startups, social enterprises, and SMEs.

🔹 Government‑Backed Loans

Start‑Up Loans
Personal loans from £500 to £25,000, with ~6 % APR and 12 months’ mentoring via British Business Bank.
👉 Start‑Up Loans
Recovery Loan Scheme
Flexible funding to support post‑COVID recovery—via British Business Bank, still accessible to eligible small businesses.

🔹 Local Grants & Support Schemes

✅ Oldham Enterprise Trust Grants

Grants up to £3,000 for individuals aged 16–30; typically up to £1,000 otherwise.
Applicants must be Oldham residents, aged 16+, and trading for under 2 years.
Includes access to support from Oldham Council, Prince's Trust, Business Growth Hub, and Oldham College (oldhamenterprisetrust.org.uk, oldham.gov.uk, Startup Grant).

✅ Village-wide Business Growth Grant

Covers 50% of eligible costs, max £10,000, for job‑creating growth initiatives.
Businesses must operate in key sectors like manufacturing, digital, creative, construction, or low‑carbon (oldham.gov.uk, oldham.gov.uk).

✅ Shop Front Improvement Grant

Grants cover 75% of eligible works, up to £10,000, or £20,000 for double-fronted premises in designated streets.
Includes external painting, signage, lighting, windows, and professional fees (oldham.gov.uk).

✅ VCFSE Community Grants

Via One Oldham Fund, grants up to £3,000 support faith, charitable, and community-led activity, especially for family‑hub projects (actiontogether.org.uk).

🔹 Regional & GM Support

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
Offers Innovation Vouchers, Productivity Grants, and Investment Funds via Growth Company and GC Business Finance (Startup Grant, oldham.gov.uk).
Growth Company Finance
Provides loans and advice for growth-stage businesses in Oldham borough through local hubs (oldham-chronicle.co.uk, oldham.gov.uk).

💡 How to Find the Right Funding

Define your purpose—startup, expansion, shop improvement, or community projects
Check eligibility—age, sector, location, business age
Prepare a simple business plan with costs, timelines, and expected outcomes
Register with Oldham Enterprise Trust or Growth Company for tailored support
Apply early—grants are competitive and may close once the budget is used
Use council account managers for help refining applications and accessing funding offers (oldham-chronicle.co.uk, oldhamenterprisetrust.org.uk, Startup Grant, oldham.gov.uk, oldham.gov.uk)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who qualifies for the Oldham Enterprise Trust grant?
Residents aged 16–30 may receive up to £3,000, while older applicants can get up to £1,000 for businesses under 2 years trading (oldhamenterprisetrust.org.uk).

Q2: What are the eligibility criteria for the Business Growth Grant?
Must be an Oldham business in key growth sectors, creating at least one job, with project costs partially matched—50% funding, up to £10,000, by March 2025 (oldham.gov.uk).

Q3: What does the Shop Front Improvement Grant cover?
Covers external upgrades (paint, signage, lighting, doors/windows) up to 75% of costs—£10,000 standard grant or £20,000 for larger premises (oldham.gov.uk).

Q4: Are there grants for local community organisations?
Yes—Up to £3,000 grants are available via One Oldham Fund for family and community hub projects run by grassroots organisations (actiontogether.org.uk).

Q5: How do I access business support and loans?
Register with Oldham Enterprise Trust for grant and loan support.
Larger loans and growth advice via Growth Company / Business Growth Hub.
Council account managers guide you through each step (oldham.gov.uk, oldham.gov.uk).

🧭 Next Steps

Contact:
- Oldham Enterprise Trust: for youth grants & loan signposting
- Growth Company / Business Growth Hub: for business expansion support
- Oldham Council Business Support: via email invest@oldham.gov.uk or phone 0161 770 4000 (oldham.gov.uk, oldham.gov.uk)
Apply for:
- Enterprise Trust grants (£1k–£3k)
- Growth grants (£5k–£10k) with job creation
- Shop front upgrades (£10k–£20k)
- Community hub projects (£3k)

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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