ANYONE wanting to bring life back to a redundant building and enhance their business have just a fortnight left to apply for a grant to help them do so.
Entrepreneurs have until the end of January to take advantage of the Redundant Building Grant Scheme and submit an application for funding from The Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
To be eligible for a grant, buildings must either be unused for at least three months or unusable in their current state.
The building must be used for business purposes and once complete see at least two new safeguarded jobs created within two years of its completion.
All projects need to be finished by June 2015.
Grants can cover up to 45 per cent of the total cost of the project with the minimum handout being £3,000 and the maximum worth £100,000.
Conversion to or refurbishment of residential properties or buildings which would be used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, are not eligible for the scheme.
Many businesses have already benefited from the grants including mobility equipment specialist Indy Ltd which has a head office in Evesham and a branch in Redditch.
Owner David Badham said he was looking to expand the business and open a third outlet in Worcester.
And, he ended up choosing to move into a Grade II listed, 18th century, four-storey building on Broad Street, which had been closed for some time.
After deciding to apply for the grant a team at Worcestershire Business Central helped with all parts of his application until he was eventually awarded £8,667 towards the refurbishment.
“It’s essential for our business customers can come and see, try and compare the equipment, so these satellite branches are vital.” said Mr Badham.
“The grant was really useful it gave us a comfort zone, a buffer, and allowed us to make sure the refurbishment was done properly.
“Everything has gone to plan and allowed us to open as fast as possible.”
Peter Pawsey, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership’s executive chair, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Worcestershire’s businesses to reinvigorate redundant or underutilised buildings around the county and is especially important for those who are looking for growth in the county.”
Visit www.business-central.co.uk/rbg for more.
