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.

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.

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".  

Cheltenham Business Pride grants 2010-2011

K1CK Start grant

Putting new businesses first, the K1CK Start training grant will pay up to the value of £300 per business start-up, via our colleagues at Business Link. 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 100 employees, are based within the borough of Cheltenham and pay their business rates to Cheltenham Borough Council, and have started their business on or after 1 April 2010.

THIS SCHEME LAUNCHED 1 JULY 2010, and will end when funding expires

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.