RENEW North Staffordshire Business Relocation Grants

From the Business Brokers:
RENEW North Staffordshire have a grant available for businesses planning to relocate within certain areas of Stoke-on-Trent.
The main areas eligible for grants are: Shelton, Hanley Green, Berryhill, Great Fenton, Burslem Central and Burslem Grange.
Businesses must relocate within these areas. (Consideration may be given to those who want to relocate from outside the core area to within the core area).

The grants are aimed at SMEs (Small or Medium Enterprises).
A company is considered to be an SME if they:
* Employ fewer than 250 employees
* Have either a balance sheet of no more than 43 Million Euro (£29.24M approx), or an annual turnover of less than 50 Million Euros (£34m approx)
* Less than 25% owned or controlled by a non-SME or combination of non SMEs.
The grant can pay up to a maximum of 85% of the total cost of the project up to a maximum grant of £50,000. The grant awarded will be decided on a case by case basis and will be at the discretion of the appraisal panel.
The grant is only available until November 2008.
Funding can be used for costs resulting from relocation, such as:
Valuation of premises, Legal costs (consultation, notice to vacate new leases etc), Survey work to determine the extent of work needed as a result of location, Schedules of repairs/alterations, Preparation of tenders for work required, Support for completion of works, Plant and equipment relocation costs, Security improvements, Environmental works, Rental support during the first financial year only, Business advice linked to relocation, Immovable plant & equipment
If you would like further information, please contact the Business Broker office on 01782 213929 or Helen Thomas at Renew on 01782 233457.
Please contact Helen Thomas to confirm your eligibility.
Full guidance notes and an application form can be found on the Business Broker website at www.businessbrokerproject.co.uk in the downloads section.