Urban Business Grant Scheme

The scheme is being developed to help local urban businesses:

• 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 Chelmsford Urban Business Grant Scheme is intended for small businesses within Chelmsford's defined urban areas, including South Woodham Ferrers. The business should also meet the following criteria:

• Employ fewer than 50 employees
• Have an annual turnover or balance sheet total of £10 million or less
• Are a legally constituted business (limited company, partnership, or sole trader with a UTR)
• Have a business bank account

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. 

Applications are expected to open in mid-May 2026