Support for business

The South Lanarkshire Micro Business Support Grant is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is a discretionary grant programme open to businesses employing 10 people or less that can demonstrate that they have been actively trading for at least one month. The aim of the fund is to help micro businesses fund a new project to improve the viability of the business and create and safeguard jobs. Any decision regarding the award of this grant is at the sole discretion of South Lanarkshire Council.

The Grant can provide up to 50% support up to a maximum of £3,000 for businesses with more than one full-time employee. For self-employed individuals, with no employees, the maximum grant available is up to 50% and a maximum of £1,000. The grant is up to a 50% contribution towards the cost of new equipment, property improvements, or other project costs such as an eCommerce website, that will help the business grow. Projects should help businesses reduce their energy usage and make progress towards achieving net zero carbon emissions where possible.

The grant will be paid upfront to your business after your application has been submitted in full, reviewed, and approved for payment. To help your cash flow, you will not need to pay the costs in full and then reclaim the grant from us but you will need to have at least 50% of your funds available before you apply. Any grants will be awarded based on the costs excluding VAT.

To find out more see our Micro Business Support Grant page.

You will be asked to upload at least 6 pieces of evidence on the application form which may take some time to gather together in the appropriate format.

Please take some time to read through this section of the website and gather these together first, as the application does not allow you to save and return to complete it.

We require the following pieces of evidence:

1. one clearly marked quote for each item of your proposed expenditure
2. latest 3 months' bank statements for your business (if your business has been trading for less than three months you will provide bank statements that cover your entire trading history)
3. evidence of business address (if you work from home this will be evidence of your home address)
4. most up-to-date financial records/accounts
5. a cash flow projection for the next 12 months
6. proof of your personal identity

There is information on the evidence required on our Micro Business Support Grant page.

The South Lanarkshire Business Growth Grant (SLBGG) is a discretionary grant fund targeted at assisting the growth of new and existing businesses based in South Lanarkshire. The grant fund supports local businesses to implement projects that will create new jobs and/ or help businesses reduce their energy usage and make progress towards achieving net zero carbon emissions in a quantifiable manner. 

SLBGG grants will provide up to 50% of eligible project costs (excluding VAT) and up to a maximum total grant award of £20,000. The grant is paid retrospectively, and evidence of expenditure must be provided prior to any payment of grant award. Applications will only be supported for projects that have not started and/or no form of commitment (financial or otherwise) has been made.

This grant is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The types of project costs we can consider are detailed below:

Capital equipment purchases. Examples could be the purchase of capital equipment that will help you diversify into new products, improve your processes, access new customers or assist your businesses journey to net zero

Infrastructure improvements. Examples could be permanent improvements undertaken to change the layout of the business premises, improve the process flow, add a new service into the business or install energy efficient systems

External expert costs of bringing in a specialist to help your business at this time. Examples could be e-commerce developments to diversify, or quality certification support to secure new business.

Training grant to support training costs that will assist the business growth. Examples could be training that is non-statutory and not core to the business such as quality or e-commerce related, or other training that will improve skills within the business. Training which can be supported under any other training funding, including Skills Development Scotland should not be applied for within this application

Exploring new markets. Grants towards exhibition space and stand costs of attending UK and international trade events. 

Businesses can apply for grant support towards the following types of expenditure and the maximum grant award for each is outlined below. 

• Capital equipment - £20,000
• Infrastructure improvement - £20,000
• Consultancy support - £5,000
• Training support - £5,000
• Exhibition support - £5,000

Please note that for businesses who employ staff you will only be considered for this grant if all your staff are paid the Real Living Wage.

To find out more see our South Lanarkshire Business growth grant page.

Business Loans Scotland offers secured loans from £25,000 to £100,000 and up to £250,000 in exceptional circumstances. The interest rate is 11% and there is no arrangement fee. Repayments periods are up to 5 years. The loan can fund up to 50% of your total costs and be used to help start up your business, fund working capital, buy new or used equipment and renovate or buy business property. For more information on eligibility, see their website. 

Resource Efficient Scotland provides unsecured, interest free Scottish Government loans of up to £100,000 for the installation of energy efficient measures such as lighting and heating upgrades, insulation, waste reduction and much more.

Email them on enquiries@resourceefficientscotland.com or call 0808 808 2268.

The Prince’s Trust can help anyone aged 18-30 to explore a business idea and provides a package of training, funding and a business mentor for up to two years.

Scottish Microfinance Fund provides business loan funding up to £25,000 to businesses with less than 10 employees, at a 6% interest rate. No match funding is required. 

Email them at info@dsl-businessfinance.co.uk or call 0141 425 2930.

The Start up Loan Company provides individuals at least 18 years old with personal loan funding up to £25,000 at a 6% interest rate and 12 months of free mentoring. The business may have started up already but must be trading for less than 24 months.

FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot directs your business to Scotland’s public sector support. It gives customers an overview of all funding and services offered by public sector organisations across Scotland. This makes it quicker and easier for businesses to find the information, advice and support they need, when they need it.

Information is available for businesses of all sizes – from start-ups to established companies, from sole traders to large enterprises, from commercial businesses to social enterprises.