business grants

Chesterfield firms encouraged to apply for AI skills grants

The government has launched a scheme enabling businesses across the UK to futureproof their teams, by accessing funding for AI skills.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) recently announced a £7.4 million pilot scheme to subsidise the cost of AI skills training for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Professional Business Services sector. £6.4 million of grant funding is available.

Through this pilot programme, eligible business can apply for funding for up to 50% of the cost of AI skills training. This is training which supports employees to develop their technical skills and/or understanding of AI to be able to develop, deploy, or use AI in their role. The application window is open until 31 May.

Artificial Intelligence holds huge opportunities to drive productivity and prosperity across the UK economy. It has the potential to increase UK GDP by up to 10.3% by 2030 – the equivalent of an additional £232 billion – and businesses who adopt AI are more likely to be successful than those that do not.

But evidence shows that a lack of AI skills in businesses is hindering AI adoption, in part due to low investment in AI upskilling in UK businesses, particularly in smaller companies.

The new pilot programme will test whether training SMEs in AI maximises the value of adoption AI. Specifically, whether government support in the form of match-funding is an effective way of increasing employer-led upskilling in AI, and whether increased skills translate into AI adoption and firm-level productivity benefits.

Specifically, the pilot has the following objectives:

1. To stimulate employer investment in AI training
2. To address AI skills gaps in the UK workforce limiting AI adoption
3. To measure the impact of AI upskilling on business productivity and outcomes

The funding competition is open to applicants who:

  • Are registered and operate in the UK
  • Employ between 1-249 employees in the UK
  • Are defined as an SME per the BEIS SME Action Plan
  • Have been operating for at least 1 year
  • Are able to match-fund 50% of the cost of the training, and
  • Operate in the Professional and Business Services (PBS) sector

To find out more and apply for the support, go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flexible-ai-upskilling-fund

For more information on business support, funding and training available to Chesterfield businesses, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

 

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Visitor Economy businesses encouraged to apply for grants of up to £2,000

Visitor economy businesses based in Derbyshire are encouraged to apply for grants of up to £2,000 to enable them to adapt, recover and rebuild in response to the pandemic.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, the area’s official destination management organisation, is offering grants to help local tourism and hospitality businesses respond to new consumer trends and changes in visitor behaviour.

Business grants are available to help small and medium sized businesses invest in valuable digital assets such as online booking systems, updated websites and cashless payment facilities.

Grants are also available to support the purchase of bike-friendly facilities, such as secure cycle storage, and accessible facilities to help local businesses cater for visitors with additional access needs.

The business grants programme is funded by Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) project, which supports business growth and development. Phase II of the project has provided over £80,000 of business grant funding to 28 Derbyshire businesses since 2019.

Business grants of up to £2,000 are available in the following areas:

  • Digitalisation – e.g. an upgraded business website incorporating an online booking system, or a digital point of sale system.
  • Accessibility – e.g. accessible equipment such as ramps, hearing loops and signage for people with additional access needs.
  • Cycling – e.g. secure cycle storage and cycle maintenance equipment for visitor use.
  • Internationalisation – e.g. website translation and the implementation of cashless payment facilities to encourage international visitors.

The deadline for businesses to register their interest for a business grant is Monday 12th September 2022.

Businesses can find out more and register interest for a grant by visiting: https://MPDD-Business-Grant-Scheme.eventbrite.co.uk

Lindsay Rae, Deputy Director and Head of Industry Engagement at Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “Our ERDF business grants programme has already been very successful, helping Derbyshire visitor economy businesses to grow, innovate and reach new markets.

“Now, as the industry recovers from the pandemic, we’re renewing calls for local businesses to register their interest for a grant to enable them to adapt and rebuild. These grants can help businesses respond to new consumer trends by investing in online booking facilities, updated websites and cycle facilities to support sustainable tourism.

“We expect to receive a large number of enquiries, so we urge eligible businesses to register their interest as soon as possible.”

Businesses applying for the grant funding must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be part of the visitor economy
  • Located in Derbyshire
  • Less than 250 employees
  • Trading for more than 12 months
  • Have a business bank account

Successful applicants will receive a 50% grant towards the cost of the overall project, with a minimum grant contribution being £1,000 and the maximum grant contribution being £2,000.

Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Grants available for Chesterfield businesses affected by Covid-19 Omicron variant

Businesses trading in Chesterfield’s hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors which have been affected by the Omicron variant of Covid-19 are being encouraged to apply for a support grant.

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant provides grants from £2,667 up to £6,000 to support local businesses impacted by the pandemic.

Applications for funding are now open, and will close on 11 February 2022. A business will be eligible for the grant if:

  • it was registered for Business Rates on 30 December 2021
  • it was trading on 30 December 2021
  • it is one of the hospitality, leisure or accommodation business types that are eligible for this payment (some exclusions do apply as per the BEIS guidance)

Businesses that may qualify for this grant are being contacted by Chesterfield Borough Council’s business grants team directly. However, if you think you are eligible and have not been in touch with anyone from the council about this yet, you can complete the application form here.

A business will not be entitled to a payment if it has entered into administration or insolvency or has exceeded the permitted Business Grant Subsidy Allowance.

Only the Business Rates payer at 30 December 2021 is entitled to claim this payment.

If you are eligible to receive a grant payment, you will receive this within seven days of your application being assessed and no later than 28 February 2022.

Meanwhile, the Government has also recently announced a new Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) and published guidance on the operation of the fund and details of the funding allocation for each local authority.

Chesterfield Borough Council is in the process of drafting the scheme ready to publish on its website during January 2022. Businesses are encouraged to keep checking Chesterfield Borough Council’s website and social media for further updates.

Find out more about the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund.

To find out more about some of the other business support available for companies in Chesterfield, go to: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

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£2m Green Entrepreneurs Fund to be launched in Derbyshire

Companies in Chesterfield and Derbyshire with green aspirations can apply for a slice of a new £2m funding pot – which is set to be launched at an event delivered by East Midlands Chamber.

Derbyshire County Council will introduce its £2m Green Entrepreneurs Fund at an information session hosted by the Chamber on Thursday 17 March from 9am to 10am.

The fund, which was created in collaboration with the University of Derby as part of its Covid-19 economic strategy and climate change commitments, is intended to help SMEs to develop and invest in low-carbon energy and carbon reduction schemes alongside training.

East Midlands Chamber policy and representation manager Ian Bates said: “Since we launched our Sustainable East Midlands campaign at the tail end of last year, we’ve noticed a strong uplift in the number of businesses that are recognising the importance of joining the low-carbon agenda.

“But many of these ambitious companies will require the necessary funding to give them both the incentive and confidence to invest in green technologies.

“The Green Entrepreneurs Fund is a fantastic initiative from Derbyshire County Council in collaboration with our strategic partner, the University of Derby, and we’re very eager to help promote it to the wider business community with this launch event.”

Who is eligible for the Green Entrepreneurs Fund?

Derbyshire-based SMEs employing up to 250 staff and micro-businesses with up to 10 staff are eligible to apply for grants, which are designed to kickstart the county’s carbon reduction and alternative energy agenda, as well as boost the financial health of local businesses in the wake of the pandemic.

The capital and revenue support will help businesses reduce their carbon footprint, retrain in low-carbon skills and develop innovative solutions in low-carbon schemes.

A small number of high-quality demonstrator projects that provide community heat and power solutions will be prioritised.

The £2m scheme is funded by Derbyshire County Council’s Covid Recovery Fund and overseen by a Green Entrepreneurs Fund Programme Board featuring representatives from the council and University of Derby.

Green Entrepreneurs Fund launch event

Businesses can find out who can apply for the funding, the levels of grants available and timescales for delivery at the Chamber-run event on 17 March.

It will also include talks from Derbyshire County Council leader Councillor Barry Lewis, and Professor Kathryn Mitchell, vice-chancellor and chief executive at the University of Derby, about the work they are doing to contribute towards carbon reduction in Derbyshire. Find out more about the event here: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/events/green-entrepreneurs-fund-launch-event/

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Chesterfield businesses encouraged to check eligibility for grants

Chesterfield businesses are being urged to check if they are eligible for business grants which can help them cover costs during lockdown.

Detailed information on business grants is available on the Chesterfield Borough Council website. Some of the grant schemes, including the Additional Restrictions Support Grant have been available to apply for since early January, but there are still a number of eligible businesses that have not yet applied.

New information regarding the Taxi Driver Support Grant and Additional Restrictions Grant has been added to the website – eligible businesses and individuals are being urged to apply as soon as possible.

Councillor Jean Innes, cabinet member for business transformation and customers, said: “These grants are a vital lifeline for local businesses, and I would encourage every business owner to apply. This funding can be used to cover a variety of costs including rent on business premises and other bills.

“Our team are working hard to process these payments as quickly as possible but it’s vital that eligible businesses apply in order to access this funding.”

The process to apply for business grants through a secure online form and applicants will need to submit some evidence, including bank statements, when applying.

There are currently five different business grants available to apply for online:

– Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG-C) – for businesses that have been forced to close due to national lockdowns or local restrictions.

– Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG-O) – for businesses linked to the hospitality and leisure sectors that have remained open but were severely affected by tier 3 restrictions between 2 December and 30 December 2020.

– Additional Restrictions Grant – a discretionary scheme for businesses that are not able to claim a Local Restrictions Support Grant – Closed (LRSG-C) but have been severely impacted by national or local restrictions.

– Closed Business Lockdown Payment – a one-off top up grant to support businesses that have been forced to close during national restrictions from 5 January 2021.

– Taxi Driver Support Grant – a one-off payment to support local taxi, private hire and contract drivers who are licenced to trade in the borough of Chesterfield.

Find out more about these grants and apply online by visiting: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/bsg

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East Midlands Chamber responds to national lockdown announcement

East Midlands Chamber is welcoming One-off £9,000 business grants, but says firms need the inside track to the Government’s plan for coming out of the newly-announced national lockdown.

Responding to the Government’s announcement of a third national lockdown for England, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) chief executive Scott Knowles said: “After a desperate 2020 for businesses and communities, a third national lockdown is another devastating blow to business confidence as it follows hard on the heels of lost trade during the festive season – not to mention the uncertainty that prevailed up until the eleventh hour of the Brexit transition period.

“The Government’s need to act in the face of spiralling threat to public health is obviously understood but after already spending billions on helping good firms to survive this crisis and save jobs, it must not let these companies fail now when the vaccine rollout provides light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.

“The Chancellor’s announcement today of a one-off £9,000 grant for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses will hopefully help keep their heads above water for a couple more months, but Westminster must remember financial support – while certainly welcomed and required – is no substitute for a fully open economy that allows businesses to generate their own revenue.

“It’s now time for the Government to open the lines of communication with businesses by sharing its plan for how the brakes will be lifted on the economy over the coming months to allow businesses to plan properly.”

For more information on guidance and business support available during the current lockdown, visit our Covid-19 support page here.

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Just half of local businesses have applied for the latest business grant from Chesterfield Borough Council

Local businesses have received almost £1 million in Government grant support from Chesterfield Borough Council to help them deal with the impact of Covid-19 restrictions – but only half of eligible business have applied so far.

The council has identified more than 1500 local businesses that are eligible for the Government’s Local Restrictions Support Grants but has only received 750 applications since early November.

These grants aim to provide much needed support for businesses affected by the national lockdown which began on 5 November and eligible companies are now being urged to put forward an application.

Councillor Dean Collins, cabinet member for economic development, said: “We understand that this is an incredibly difficult period for many local businesses and there is a lot of uncertainty about the future. For many businesses these grants are a lifeline that can help them survive through ongoing restrictions.

“So far almost £1 million has been paid to local businesses through this support grant, but we are aware that there are still lots of businesses that need to apply. The application process is straightforward and can be completed online. We are prioritising processing and making these payments, so I would encourage every local business owner to check if they are eligible and get their application in as soon as possible.”

Businesses will qualify for support grants if they are a Chesterfield Borough Council rates payer and meet all the following criteria:

• the business was open and trading as usual on 4 November 2020
• it was registered for Business Rates on 5 November 2020
• it is one of the types of business that have been instructed to close

The amount that businesses can receive is dependent upon the rateable value of its premises. Find out more details about the amount of funding available here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/businessgrants
Business owners can apply for these grants using the digital form on the Council’s website, but they will need to register for a My Chesterfield account. This will also allow the management of business rates accounts online.

As part of the application process some evidence is required, these will need to be uploaded as electronic copies, scanned images or clear photos of the following documents:

• Business Rates account reference – this is an eight-character reference beginning with five, you can find this on your annual bill
• Business bank account details – this is the account the grant will be paid into
• Proof of business bank account – the most recent statement or a screenshot of online banking, which shows the business bank details, is from within the last month and shows business transactions during this period

Find out more about the eligibility criteria and apply online here: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/businessgrants

You can also find out more about the support available to local businesses here: www.chesterfield.co.uk/business/business-support/

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