NICHE BUSINESS
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Green BELLE grants help businesses save energy
ROBERT LEESON Project Officer at Leicester City Council
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nergy costs are now more important to local businesses than ever, and green credentials are an increasingly important factor in securing new business and contracts. At the same time, the UK is committed to reducing carbon emissions to help the fight against climate change. In order to help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become more energy efficient and less carbon intensive, Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council have now launched a new round of funding for their successful Green BELLE project. What is Green BELLE? Green BELLE offers grants of £1,000 to £7,000 to eligible businesses to install energy-efficient low carbon measures. The grants are available to support measures such as efficient heating, lighting and controls, insulation, renewable energy – for example, solar panels or heat pumps – and other energy efficiency equipment such as replacement air compressors.
Green BELLE offers a capital grant of 50% of the cost of these measures, up to the grant maximum of £7,000. It is run by Leicester City Council, with support from Leicestershire County Council, and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Who can apply? To apply for a Green BELLE grant, your business will need to be a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) located in Leicester or Leicestershire. Find out if you’re eligible on the Green BELLE website at greenbelle.org.uk/is-your-business-eligible. How do I apply? For more information and to make an enquiry, visit the Green BELLE website greenbelle.org.uk, where you can fill in the online expression of interest form, by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button. If you have any questions you can’t find the answer to on the website, you can also give the Green BELLE team a call on 0116 454 2700 or email energygrant@leicester.gov.uk.
The Business Growth Grant Capital grants from £2,000 to £25,000 for Leicestershire SMEs
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usinesses in Leicester and Leicestershire can grow or develop with funding from the Business Gateway Growth Hub. The Business Growth Grant provides grants from £2,000 to £25,000 covering 35% of total project costs. This grant is available to small and medium-sized businesses with less than 250 employees, trading business-to-business and established for at least 24 months. You should be looking to develop new products, processes or services, and create or safeguard jobs. It can be used to help you diversify, which some
businesses are considering at this time in light of Covid-19. For example, the funding could be used to develop new innovative technology products that improve performance, or to expand premises related to business development or new products/services. Alternatively, you may need capital equipment to give your business a more automotive approach or enable flexible working. Melton Mowbray-based business Round Corner Brewing successfully secured a £25,000 Business Growth Grant towards a new in-house canning line. The award-winning brewery is set to double its output this year due to this investment and its ability to adapt its production. CEO Combie Cryan said: “Rather than leave us to our own devices, the Business Gateway team worked with us dynamically, so we could put an accurate and compelling case forward. I’d be incredibly positive if anyone came my way and asked if they should go for this grant.” For details visit the Business Gateway website: bizgateway.org.uk/business-growth-grant or complete an enquiry form. If you have any questions call 0116 366 8487. The Business Gateway Growth Hub is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered in partnership by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).