Urban Business Grant Scheme

The Chelmsford Urban Business Grant Scheme is a new capital‑only funding programme delivered by Chelmsford City Council to support the growth, resilience and long‑term sustainability of urban businesses across Chelmsford, including South Woodham Ferrers.

The grant is designed to help local businesses make practical investments that:

• Improve productivity and efficiency

• Reduce operating and energy costs

• Support growth, expansion and resilience

• Enhance the vitality and appeal of Chelmsford’s urban centres

With rising costs and changing trading conditions, the Scheme provides a timely opportunity for businesses to invest in their premises, equipment and operations and remain competitive.

• Total scheme budget: £100,000
• Grant value: Up to £10,000 per business
• Funding type: Capital only
• Match funding: Businesses must contribute at least 20% of the total grant requested. For example, a £10,000 grant request would require a £2,000 match funding contribution from the business

This approach helps maximise the impact of funding while supporting deliverable, high‑value projects.

The grant supports capital expenditure on assets with a useful life of more than 12 months. Examples include:

• Equipment or machinery that improves productivity or capacity
• Shopfront, fit‑out or premises improvements
• Capital works to support business expansion
• Energy‑efficiency investments that reduce running costs

Projects should clearly demonstrate how the investment will benefit the business and contribute positively to Chelmsford’s urban economy.

The Scheme cannot support revenue costs, including:

• Staffing, training or wages
• Marketing, advertising or website development
• Rent, rates, utilities or consumables
• Software licences
• Any project that has already started
• Political or religious activity

The Scheme is open to small, urban-based businesses that meet all of the following criteria: 

• Employ fewer than 50 employees
• Have an annual turnover or balance sheet total of £10 million or less
• Are located within Chelmsford's defined urban areas, including South Woodham Ferrers
• Are a legally constituted business (limited company, partnership, or sole trader with a UTR)
• Have a business bank account

The following are not eligible:

• Medium‑sized or large enterprises
• National or international chains or franchises
• Individuals without legal business status
• Businesses located outside Chelmsford’s defined urban areas

For the purposes of this grant scheme, the Chelmsford defined urban area refers to the main built-up urban areas within the Chelmsford local authority boundary, which includes South Woodham Ferrers. 

Businesses must be located within the defined urban boundary to be eligible for funding under this scheme.

The shaded area on the map shows the Chelmsford urban area that is eligible for the fund. 

If you are unsure whether your business falls within the defined urban area, please reach out to the Invest Chelmsford Business team via email: economy@chelmsford.gov.uk. 

Applications will be submitted via an online application form. The deadline for applications to be received is 30 June 2026. 

Funding decisions are expected by September 2026. All projects must be completed by 28 February 2027.