There may be a Small Business SME Grant for your business idea! In some cases there are Grants available for small business development. Bob Shepherd Associates has long experience in sourcing and making applications for Grants. It is essential to avoid the hidden pit falls when applying and time can be a major factor.

Most Grants in South Wales are based on European Funds with common restrictions. In principle there are few grants for Retail, Mobile Businesses or nursing facilities and some other Industries are excluded as well.

On the other hand there is support for manufacturing or machinery based work. In some areas there is Marketing support and for web sites. Environmentally sound businesses are supported and it is helpful to be employing people.

You can’t get support for a laptop but you can for a small network. You can’t get support for a van but you can for a forklift!

The support depends on the area you are based in, with an emphasis on those areas that are less well off.

Aside from the local Governmental support and that of the Welsh Assembly there are other grant providers. Some are Foundations with a worthy ethos, some are charity based and others are nationally based.

In England the situation is even more patchy and there are fewer opportunities.

Keeping up with all the ins and outs is a specialism in itself. We have the contacts and the knowledge to save you much effort and confusion.

Further Information & Help

Please contact us for further information and an initial meeting.

Past cases

Bob Shepherd Associates have applied for grants in a number of different cases. A language school wanted to move premises and set up a laboratory. A micro brewery wanted help with equipment and with marketing.  A steel manufacturer wanted new machinery. A vehicle manufacturer wanted help with a production line. A charity wanted a delivery van. Another charity wanted a payments system and refurbishment of buildings. A skip company wanted new loading machinery. A pallet recycling company wanted machinery. A professional firm wanted a web site grant. A garage wanted to set up a new MOT station. A company welding vinyl sheets wanted new machinery. A company laminating worktops and partitions needed production machinery. A scrap yard needed a new guillotine.

Grant availability depends on area and purpose. Moreover it changes continually.