Shropshire Council urges applications for small business funding ahead of January deadline

Shropshire Council's Small Business Grants scheme awards funding of between £2,000 and £10,000 for business owners wanting to improve their offer and create jobs, and has awarded funding to 63 Shropshire businesses so far.

Nearly £100,000 of funding was awarded in the latest round of applications, but the council has urged anyone who still wants to apply to get their applications in, with deadline for applications of January 10 fast approaching.

“The business growth and investment team at Shropshire Council have worked hard to both access this funding and distribute the awards to businesses who are looking to grow and develop across Shropshire, which will in turn make a significant impact on the economic growth of the county," said Mark Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth and regeneration.

“If anyone is thinking about applying, we urge them to take that important first step and submit an EOI before the funding is no longer available.”

The scheme is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which provided £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. From this fund, £15m worth of funding was awarded to Shropshire Council for a range of projects in 2022.

"We still have funding available and can offer grants that will help with up to 50% of the cost of purchasing a piece of equipment or improving an office or work-space, " added Gary Spence, Shropshire Council’s external funding lead in the business growth and investment team.

“Applications have already been received from a very wide range of businesses across several sectors. We have approved everything from a laser therapy machine to a refrigerated catering trailer, a 3D printer, a pilot brew plant, video meeting booths, commercial catering equipment and even a mobile gelato bike!

“In each case the applicant has clearly demonstrated to the panel how the equipment or improvement to their premises will develop new products, processes or services, or create new jobs.

“We urge businesses not to miss out on this opportunity but also emphasise that, if asked to submit a full application, they make clear to us how and why the award will make a real and positive difference to their business.”