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

Read the planning and 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 the following criteria:

Have a signed lease on an eligible commercial property which has been vacant for at least 3 months. The property must be within the Crewe Town Centre Boundary found here
Have signed a lease or rental agreement for an eligible property within 12 weeks of submitting an application and have not yet started trading from the property.
Employ less than 249 people.
Have a turnover of £50m or less.
Have £43m or less on your balance sheet.
Be able to match the funding by 20%
Have a business bank account.
Be in good standing with the council including being fully paid up on any money owed to the council, such as council tax and business tax.

How much could you be eligible for?

28 days - 12 months Up
To £3,000

12 - 24 months Up
To £7,000

24 - 36 months Up
To £12,000

36 - 48 months Up
To £20,000

48 months or longer Up
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.

What is not eligible usage for the grant:

Salaries or wage subsidies.
Equipment specific to your business/industry that is integral to your business providing services (examples include crockery for restaurants, hairdryers for salons etc).
Acquisition of land/buildings either directly or indirectly.
Consultancy, design, and statutory application fees.
Professional fees.
Rent payments.
Servicing existing business debt.
Marketing Campaigns.
Maintenance of equipment or licences/subscriptions.

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.