Business grants

Business Energy & Road Net Zero Support Scheme

Who is eligible?

The Business Energy & Road Net Zero Support Scheme is open to businesses based and operating in the Borough of Chorley

The Business Energy Grant can only be used to fund capital expenditure on specified equipment that has been identified by an energy audit as reducing energy use/costs and delivering a contribution to carbon reduction. The grants cannot be used to fund energy bill payments.

An energy audit will need to be undertaken as part of the Grant process, which the Council will fund and arrange.

There are 3 levels of grant available, the award for approved applications will depend on the cost of the equipment specified in the energy audit.

Grant categories will be £500 (for expenditure of £500 - £999) £1,000 (for expenditure of £1,001 - £1,999) £2,000 (for expenditure of £2,000 and above)

The grants will fund a contribution of up to 100%, of the approved costs of measures up to the maximum grant of £2000.

Grants (for approved applications) will only be paid on completion of the work and on receipt of a paid invoice and receipt for the approved, eligible equipment.

If you are interested in having an Energy Audit completed and the Grant Scheme, please contact edu@chorley.gov.uk or by calling 01257 515300

Rural Business Grant 

Expressions of interest are now open for rural businesses across Chorley to apply for grant funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

Chorley Council has been awarded funding from the Government's Rural England Prosperity Fund to help supercharge growth and create employment opportunities for the borough's rural areas. A total of £400,000 has been allocated to support new and existing rural enterprises and initiatives such as farm diversification, projects to boost rural tourism, and community infrastructure projects including renewable energy and net zero, all contributing to the wider economy.

Rural businesses are being encouraged to apply for this grant funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), where eligible applicants can apply for up to 40% of their total project costs with a minimum spend of £50,000 (40% grant of £20,000) and a maximum grant of £100,000 (spend of £250,000).

The fund will be managed by Lancashire County Council on behalf of Chorley Council and expressions of interest are being taken now until October 6, 2023.

Projects can include funding for the diversification of farm businesses outside of agriculture; tourism, accommodation, food and drink and improved infrastructure for businesses.

There is a three-stage application process for local businesses looking to apply.

First, any business interested must email ruralprosperityfund@lancashire.gov.uk with their postcode and a very brief outline of their project to determine whether they are located within an eligible rural postcode and their project meets local priorities.

Secondly, once eligibility is confirmed, they will be invited to submit an Expression of Interest form to check that their project meets local priorities and fits within the timeframe for the programme.

All applicants invited to proceed to full application will be expected to attend a business planning session and will also receive 1-2-1 specialist support.

Chris Sinnott, Chief Executive of Chorley Council, said, "We know the importance of our rural communities and how the businesses based in those areas are vital to the success of the borough's wider economy.

"I am so pleased that Chorley Council has been able to secure this funding to support existing and emerging businesses, and I have no doubt that this boost will enhance growth and create opportunities for even more local people.

"Chorley for a long time has been an incredibly exciting place to do business and it's not just for those in the more urban areas. This funding has meant that businesses from all corners of the borough can get access to support for their growth."

"I encourage all eligible businesses to get involved and to apply right away."

Simon Lawrence, director of Growth and Regeneration at Lancashire County Council, welcomed the move.

He said: "The Rural England Prosperity Fund will provide a substantial boost for growth and employment opportunities for Lancashire's rural areas.

"We believe this grant funding will help new and emerging rural businesses and initiatives and community infrastructure, supporting Lancashire's wider economy.

"We are delighted that this help for growth in our rural areas has been awarded, and we encourage businesses to submit Expressions of Interest if they would like to apply for a slice of this grant funding."

Shop Front Improvement Grant

The Shop Front Improvement Grant is available for comprehensive visual improvements to the frontage of a vacant retail property in Chorley.

The property must be in the designated Chorley town centre boundary or within one of the borough's designated local retail centres.

A business (or the property landlord) can apply for up to 75% of the total eligible project net costs up to a maximum of £10,000 grant. 

To apply for this grant, in the first instance please contact our Business Engagement team to discuss your potential application by email to edu@chorley.gov.uk or by calling 01257 515300.

View the Shop Front Improvement Grants guidance notes for more information.

Chorley Business Investment for Growth (BIG) Grant

The Chorley BIG grant can be used to support eligible, expanding Chorley businesses making capital expenditure and creating new jobs.

The grant can contribute to the construction of new buildings; the refurbishment or adaptation of existing business premises; site engineering works; signage, hard/soft landscaping and security improvements.

Businesses can apply for 50% of the total eligible project costs, with a maximum grant of up to £10,000. Grant award is subject to output requirements including number of jobs being created within the business.

To apply for this grant, in the first instance please contact our Business Engagement team to discuss your potential application by email to edu@chorley.gov.uk or by calling 01257 515300.

View the Chorley BIG Grant guidance notes for further information. ​

Choose Chorley Relocation Grant

The Choose Chorley Relocation Grant is to help attract inward investors to the borough, create sustainable local employment and strengthen local supply chains. It is aimed at existing businesses (not new starts) permanently relocating to Chorley from outside of the borough, generating at least 5 sustainable jobs within 24 months of establishing their base.

Grants are available up to a maximum of £25,000. The grant is not available retrospectively and retail businesses are not eligible.

To apply for this grant, in the first instance please contact our Business Engagement team to discuss your potential application by email to edu@chorley.gov.uk or by calling 01257 515300.

View the Choose Chorley Relocation Grant guidance notes for further information.

Please note, all our grants are offered on a first come, first served basis, and cannot be offered retrospectively. Businesses are advised to contact our Business Engagement team to discuss any potential applications at the earliest opportunity.
 

All grant schemes are subject to availability and eligibility.