Boosting local small businesses and start-ups

Edition: March 2023

We are delighted to feature local businesses benefitting from the Local Enterprise and Apprentices Platform (LEAP) Small Business Grant Scheme.

The scheme, launched by Horsham District Council and funded by the West Sussex County Council Economic Recovery Fund, has already supported a wide range of projects for different business types locally.

One LEAP funding recipient, Lynda Vowles – from Pulborough based organisation Mary How Trust (pictured, copyright Emily de Silva), which offers a screening service to detect the early signs of many life threatening illnesses - commented:

We are thankful to have received a grant from Horsham District Council to purchase clinical equipment for an extra consulting room. This new equipment means we can offer preventative
healthcare services to more people in the community. The equipment will help us triple our screening capacity to our financial year end 2025.

Lynda Vowles, the Mary How Trust

Sarah Shelley from home-based Shelley’s Venue Decoration (pictured top, copyright Simon Stewart) said:

The grant enabled us to purchase blossom trees which are still in high demand within the industry. We now have uniform for all staff members with our logo proudly displayed on the front and the back.

Sarah Shelley, Shelley’s Venue Decoration

Can we help your business grow?

We are launching a new round of LEAP small business grant funding on Monday 3 April. £86,000 worth of funding is available to support businesses. If you are hoping to set up a new business, wanting to grow your existing small business, or to take on an apprentice, you can apply.

Grants of up to £2,000 each will be available for District-based businesses, with fewer than 20 full-time employees and who are registered with Companies House or HMRC.

Applicants need to submit a business plan with a financial forecast as part of their application, and are required to match fund the grant by contributing towards 25% of their total project cost.

Click on the web link below or email the Business Development team