Finance and Funding
Grants
There are national grant schemes for businesses including the Grant for Business Investment and Grant for Research and Development. Visit the South East England Development Agency website for more details: www.seeda.co.uk
Both schemes have strict eligibility criteria and the first port of call to discuss suitability is Business Link:
0845 6009006
info@businesslinksolutions.co.uk
Export Marketing Research Scheme
Helps undertake overseas market research prior to investing in new markets, eg: where and how to invest, potential customers, pricing etc. The scheme involves advice and financial assistance.
Apply to the British Chambers of Commerce (no need to be a member):
024 76694484
emr@britishchambers.org.uk
Managing Cashflow
The careful management of cashflow is critical during challenging periods such as these. Short guides on managing cash flow, developed by Institute of Credit Management (ICM) and funded by the Government, are available at:
Business payment support service
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) will discuss payment options for businesses struggling to pay tax and National Insurance bills because of temporary cash flow difficulties. They will review your circumstances and discuss payment options to help your cashflow.
HMRC Payment Support Line:
0845 3021435
Sustainable Routes Grant
The Sustainable Route Grant is a project that assists businesses reduce the cost of business travel. For further information please visit the Ngage website at:
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)
The Government’s flagship programme for manufacturing. Their primary focus is to improve business competitiveness by advising on efficiency in the manufacturing process.
0845 6589600
info@mas-uk.org.uk
Train to gain
Helps businesses with staff training by identifying the skills that will boost your business, creating a tailored package of training, finding reliable local training providers to deliver the package, finding funding to help pay for the
training and evaluating the training to ensure real results.
08457 512288
info@traintogainse.co.uk
Loans
Enterprise Finance Guarantee
A Government loan guarantee scheme available from all major banks and can be up to £1m, repayable over a period up to 10 years. Open to viable businesses with an annual turnover of up to £25m. Contact your bank for further details.
Finance South East (FSE)
Helps ambitious companies to grow through direct investment and associated support. Services include advice on funding strategy, introductions to funding sources, fund management and mentoring and investor networks. They manage several loan funds including the:
• Transition Fund - unsecured loans to supplement what a business can borrow from a bank
• Accelerator Fund - for businesses that can demonstrate the potential for significant growth.
Finance South East:
01276 608510
Further Information
Business Debtline
Free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with business debt.
08001 976026
www.bdl.org.uk
Fredericks Foundation
Offer loans to people wanting to start a business or who are already in business, when they cannot get a loan from a bank
01865 893383
www.fredericksoxfordshire.org