Council in £6m boost for business
The city council has announced it is to make more than £6 million available in grants to boost business.
The funding has come as part of a successful bid for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) money by the council earlier this year.
A total of £6.4 million will be shared out to help set up advice services for new businesses and to help fund the building of new work spaces and business units in the city.
The council is inviting bids from interested parties.
Councillor Ted Cassidy, assistant city mayor with responsibility for economic development, said: "I am keen to see bids from organisations that can deliver a package of different projects to support business growth and survival, particularly in the most deprived areas of the city."
Helen Howe, who set up her ethical clothing business Freedom Fashion in the city earlier this year, said: "Anything that can help business to grow and take on more people is a fantastic thing for the city."
The deadline for expressions of interest in the money is 2pm on October 14.
Another £1.9 million of European funding will be used to support projects focused on improving the city's streets and public spaces.
4 Comments
by Neil0123
Monday, September 05 2011, 7:24PM
“The best way to boost business in the city is to stop driving away all the customers with the permanent disruption caused by all their wasteful traffic schemes. (Hey, this will also save them all the money wasted disrupting the city). A "win-win" for everyone.”
by Grant2010
Monday, September 05 2011, 2:20PM
“How about an equal grant to set up an help unit for all those that businesses have made unemployed through injury or redundancy. I fail to see why business now always seem to expect and get grants that are ultimately paid for by taxpayers. At least one past Conservative Prime Minister stated we should not use taxpayers money to support lame ducks”
by simonnewparks
Monday, September 05 2011, 1:27PM
“I cant understand who this money is aimed at. The council seems to have won this money for itself as businesses themselves cant apply!.
In the application document it clearly states :
"Applications can not be submitted directly by profit-distributing private sector organisations"
Guess it will just go on perpetuating the One Leicester poster campaign which doesnt seem to have much to show for itself other than posters and banners.”
by intrest
Monday, September 05 2011, 10:51AM
“....a look at the financial market..?.As the two winning factors for any buisness are projected interest rates and taxation..."start up" capital is often the problem encountered.I think it will be difficult to convince the banks to lend money for new buisness ideas..Usually the advice is to sell your home to raise capital for buisness purposes.If you fall into the latter demographic grouping... then..a positive scheme..?”