Cheltenham Business Pride

Cheltenham Business Pride launched in June 2008, as a way of showing that all of us are taking pride in our businesses and the town in which we live.

Originally part of a pilot concept in 2007 with funding and commitment from the Conservative council, the current Liberal Democrat administration invested a further £50,000 of LABGI (Local Area Business Growth Incentives Scheme) money in May 2008, enabling a grants-based project that local businesses could benefit from.  A further commitment has been made for 2009/10 to help businesses during the recession.

The scheme aims to improve the economic sustainability of the town and
the businesses within it by promoting the local area from an economic perspective via key projects. Local businesses will be invited to engage and influence the work of Cheltenham Borough Council by helping to facilitate and deliver initiatives across the borough.

As a consequence, Cheltenham Business Pride has three objectives to achieve:

• To listen and respond to local business needs
• To provide assitance wherever possible for local business projects that benefit Cheltenham's economy
• To promote local business achievements in the local and national media

Cheltenham Business Pride is tailored to showcase business excellence via a sustained and committed approach to marketing and promoting business ventures within the borough. It is also designed to enable businesses to access the right information on business support that is relevant to their needs.

Other benefits include a platform to promote achievements via this website and other media, match funding for business projects via our grant initiative and a range of other business support such as organising training to be provided at or near your place of work.

We will also be able to provide information on the local economy including, for example, any changes in the borough, through to information on free programmes to look at cutting your energy bills.

Please note, that to apply for any of the grants below, you must be a member of Cheltenham Business Pride.

Not a member? Register for free now.

Cheltenham Business Pride grants

Commercial rent grant

Is your business moving into commercial premises in Cheltenham? Do you need help to make it happen? If the answer to both these questions is yes, then the council's Cheltenham Business Pride Rental grant scheme may be able to help you.

What does the Scheme offer?

A rent grant of up to 50% of the first year's basic rent on business premises located within the borough of Cheltenham.

The maximum grant available is £2500, from the first 12 months of moving into your new property.

More information

Cheltenham Business Pride training grant

The Cheltenham Business Pride Training grant will pay up to the value of £500 per business. If you need help to cover the training costs for you and/or your staff, then we can help.

Who is eligible?

Any business is eligible, as long as they have less than 300 employees, are based within the borough of Cheltenham and pay their business rates to Cheltenham Borough Council.

More information

Shopfront improvement scheme

This new project is in response to the economic climate and aims to improve the appearance of the town centre and other areas of the borough, increasing its attraction to visitors and investors, whilst promoting what Cheltenham has to offer, especially from an independent traders' perspective.

What does the Scheme offer?

A match-funded grant of up to £500 against the cost of improving the look of your shop frontage. This scheme is only open to business premises located within the borough of Cheltenham.

The scheme is open from 22 January 2010 until 30 June 2010.

More information

APPLY

Business rates hardship relief fund

Businesses that are struggling are now able to apply for money off their business rates under the business rates hardship relief scheme. For further information please contact the business rates department.

How do I register?

Registration is free. Upon registration, you will be sent a monthly e-bulletin, highlighting the latest business news, exclusive events and grant information from Cheltenham Borough Council.

More information

Background

Between June 2008 and June 2009, Cheltenham Business Pride provided £50,000 of Local Area Business Growth Initiative (LABGI) money to match fund and support projects proposed by businesses in the town, projects which benefit these businesses, the town and the economy.

Grants available were between £500 and £2000 and had to be match-funded by individuals, groups of businesses, or from third party sources. This grant was available to all businesses, whether they were a sole trader or an SME (small-medium enterprise, between 5 and 300 employees).

To see what local businesses did, visit our case studies page.

Steve Clark, MD, AVM Ltd, Lansdown Industrial Estate on Cheltenham Business Pride: 

"I would urge all businesses in Cheltenham to sign up for this scheme - in my opinion, they simply can't afford to miss out.

"Cheltenham Business Pride is a great concept and one that I had no hesitation in joining. The fact that I get a free listing in the Business Directory, fantastic free business advice via informal workshops and seminars, and the opportunity to apply for a grant that will help my business, is invaluable".