Applications are now open for the Chelmsford Urban Business Grant Scheme, a new funding programme designed to help small urban businesses across Chelmsford invest, grow and build long‑term resilience.
Delivered by Chelmsford City Council, the scheme provides capital grants of up to £10,000 to support businesses facing increasing operating costs to invest in their premises, equipment and productivity.
Urban businesses play a vital role in Chelmsford’s economy and in creating vibrant, welcoming city and town centres. The Urban Business Grant Scheme aims to help small businesses invest with confidence by supporting practical, deliverable capital projects that improve productivity and reduce costs.
Grant funding can support investments such as premises improvements, equipment purchases and energy‑efficiency measures that deliver lasting benefits to the business and contribute positively to the vitality of urban areas.
Small businesses located within Chelmsford’s defined urban areas, including South Woodham Ferrers, can apply for grants of up to £10,000, with a total funding pot of £100,000 available.
Funding is capital‑only and must be used for projects that result in assets with a useful life of more than 12 months. Applicants will be expected to provide match funding of at least 20% of the grant request, demonstrating their commitment to investment and helping to maximise the impact of the scheme.
The Urban Business Grant Scheme builds on Chelmsford City Council’s successful delivery of the UK Government's rural business grant funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). While REPF focused on strengthening the district’s rural economy, the new Urban Business Grant ensures that businesses based in Chelmsford’s city and town centres can now access similar levels of targeted support.
Applications will be assessed competitively based on how well proposed projects:
For the purposes of the scheme, a small business is defined as employing fewer than 50 employees and having an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than £10 million.
Applicants will be required to outline their proposed project, costs, delivery timescales and expected outcomes as part of the application process.
Applications for the Chelmsford Urban Business Grant Scheme will close on 30 June.
Full eligibility details are available on the Invest Chelmsford website.
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