Grants to get you up and Running.
We’re offering capital grants of up to £30,000 (depending on the length of the lease or license you take on) to businesses and organisations that take up leases on empty commercial premises in Crewe Town Centre.
Eligibility Criteria.
This grant can support either established organisations, or those who have just started up or are about to start up.
Read the application guidance here
All types of organisations can apply for this funding including:
- Businesses
- Charities
- Community interest companies
- Community and voluntary groups
- Social enterprises
- Sole traders
To be eligible your organisation should meet all three of the following criteria:
- Employ less than 50 people
- Have a turnover of £10.2m or less
- Have £5.1m or less on your balance sheet
To be eligible your organisation must also meet one of the below criteria:
- Be wishing to take on a lease or rent an eligible property which was a previously empty commercial property.
- Have signed a lease or rental agreement for an eligible property within the 12 weeks prior to submitting your application, and not yet have started to trade from the property.
Eligible properties are those located with the Crewe Town Centre boundary, as defined in the Cheshire East Local Plan. This can be found here
You’ll be able to match the funding you’re asking for by 20%. For example, if you ask for grant funding of £10,000, you’ll need to prove to us that you’re spending at least £2,000 of money you have access to from other sources.
Read the full eligibility criteria for the grant scheme here
How much could you be eligible for?
To £3,000
To £7,000
To £12,000
To £20,000
To £30,000
In certain strategically located properties, we may agree to grants of up to £50,000
What can you use the grant for?
Here are some examples of the costs we may be able to support you with:
- Extensions, improvements, or modifications to the premises.
- Replacing shop fronts, installing a new roof, window or doors, rendering, stone/brick cleaning, electrical works, new floors or ceilings
- New equipment/ shop fittings such as shelving, racks, storage, and display units; food/refrigeration storage; food preparation equipment such as ovens.
- New equipment specific to your business/ industry that is integral to your business providing services. (examples include crockery for restaurants, hairdryers for salons).
What is not eligible usage for the grant:
Stock
Rental or lease deposit or costs
Business rates
Staffing costs
Insurance costs
Promotional and marketing materials or activities
New equipment that is not integral to your business providing services at the property (such as day-to-day consumables, staff room equipment, computers used off-site etc.)
How is the grant paid to successful applicants?
Grants are paid retrospectively in arrears, either in full, or in instalments, after receiving an eligible invoice or batch of invoices.
Read the full application and award process here
Register your interest
Register your interest by providing a few personal details.