Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub have launched two funds of £1,000-£3,000 per business for small pieces of equipment or 1-2-1 specialist advice in response to COVID-19. Grants are paid 100% up to the maximum of £3,000. However, only purchases made after the date of the grant offer letter may be claimed.
SME Restart Programme which is for SME's (trading for 12 months+) whose trade is 100% business to business (therefore 0% directly to consumers).
- Grant for 1-2-1 specialist advice to address immediate needs in response to the impact of COVID-19 e.g. HR, Accountants, Legal, Financial, H&S, IT / Digital or Sector Specialists etc.
- Purchase of minor equipment (costing less than £5,000) to adapt or adopt new technology in order to continue to deliver business activity or diversify in response to COVID-19.
Kickstarting Tourism Programme which is for SME's located in a tourist area and dependent on visitors. Grants for business trading 12 months + for.
- 1-2-1 specialist advice to address immediate needs in response to the impact of COVID-19 e.g. HR, Accountants, Legal, Financial, H&S, IT / Digital or Sector Specialists etc.
- Productivity Improvements such as enhanced use of digital tools such as yield management software, mentoring, networking or other measures. It could also support to develop innovative delivery in a socially distanced economy - for example, new ways of delivering cultural events and festivals that are so critical to the visitor experience.
- Purchase of minor equipment (costing less than £5,000) to adapt or adopt new technology in order to continue to deliver business activity or diversify in response to COVID 19.
Both of these Programmes are Temporarily Suspended at the moment.
