Business Grants and Loans Fund (BGLF)

Combination grant & loans of between £500 & £10,000 are available to businesses in rural Wiltshire

Sustaining Rural Services in Wiltshire

• This is a fund for businesses that are independently owned and operated or are enterprises for the benefit of the community
• The Fund provides a combination of grant and low interest loan
• All eligible applicants may apply for a mixture of grant and loan from a minimum of £500 to a maximum of £10,000

Some eligible purposes for which grants/loans can be made:

• ICT and new technologies, (EPOS, management systems etc).
• Marketing
• Multi-use projects eg village hall/shop or shared facilities with other businesses e.g delivery service etc.
• Production, development or sales of locally produced food or arts and crafts
• Tourism; eg developing or maintaining a B&B business or tea rooms
• Shop/Premises redevelopment or refurbishment including internal and external improvements and imagery
• Equipment purchase and repair including refrigeration, air conditioning, security installations etc.
• Delivery vehicles
• Providing business and community services; eg Internet, printing, fax etc.
• Training
• Community enterprise initiatives

Main Criteria

• Be based in a rural area of Wiltshire (under 10,000 population)
• Be independently owned and operated, or be an enterprise for the
benefit of the community
• Provide employment
• Demonstrate the strong support of the community
• Demonstrate the creation, retention or expansion of local facilities
• Applicants must reside in Wiltshire and be over 18 years of age
• The Business must submit a current business plan


Business Advice Available

A Community First Business Adviser or Rural Enterprise Adviser is available (if required) to help you develop your project and assist you develop a business plan if appropriate.

There is a £500 charge for this service which will require payment in advance (a refund will be given if the support required is less than two working days).