Final chance - Apply for rural business grants up to £50,000 by 16 December

18 November 2024

Rural businesses across North Northants are being urged to apply for grants of up to £50,000 before 16 December.

Using monies received from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, North Northamptonshire Council has re-launched a grant scheme to support existing rural businesses, with applications now open for the final time.

Following on from earlier rounds of the grant schemes, applications are now being accepted for capital projects that can start quickly and be delivered in full by 28 February 2025. A particular target for this round is rural diversification, including business diversification and projects which support the visitor economy.

Examples of projects supported in earlier rounds include: 

• New Lodge Farm in Bulwick who extended their café and farm shop
• Austin Davis Biologics who have been able to move into a larger, refurbished facility in Islip
• Measures Farm in Hemington who developed a new dog field
• We Don’t Do Ordinary who invested in tourist accommodation at Wallis Mill, Brigstock

North Northants has a diverse and wide range of businesses who call our rural communities home. Over the past few years, we have noticed business owners looking to diversify their offering so they can continue to thrive in what can be a challenging economy. These grants are designed to help them grow and develop.Cllr David Howes, the council’s Executive Member for Rural Communities and Localism

This is the last chance for businesses to apply for grants of up to £50,000 - money which will make such a difference to rural businesses in North Northants. There are still a few weeks to apply, so please do contact the team, take a read through the criteria and apply before 16 December.Cllr David Brackenbury, the council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration

We know that the previous four rounds of this grant scheme have had such a big impact to a variety of rural businesses, including farms being able to diversify their offering to appeal to a wider range of customers. I hope that with this final round, more and more businesses should benefit.Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council

Applications for this round of funding must be received by 16 December 2024 and interested rural businesses who wish to apply for funding in Round 5 (final round) should email [email protected] to request an application form, eligibility criteria and guidance notes.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.