Business Growth Action Grant - Guidance Notes

Up to £1,000 available to help Tamworth businesses turn specialist business advice into practical investment and growth.

The Business Growth Action Grant helps eligible businesses put recommendations from the Growth Ladder or Build and Scale programme into action.

The grant can support investment that helps your business:

• Grow and scale.
• Improve productivity and efficiency.
• Increase capacity.
• Become more resilient.
• Create jobs or apprenticeships, where possible.
• Reduce energy use, waste or carbon emissions, where possible.

Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-assessed basis until the available budget is fully allocated.

Am I eligible?

You may be eligible if you meet all of the following criteria:

• Your business is based in Tamworth and has a registered premises within the Tamworth boundary.
• You are an SME or self-employed.
• Your business has been trading for between 2 and 5 years.
• You have a Companies House number or Unique Tax Reference (UTR).
• You have successfully completed the Growth Ladder or Build and Scale programme delivered through Staffordshire County Council.
• Your proposed investment directly supports the growth recommendations or plans identified through the programme.
• Your business is ready to grow, scale or improve its performance.
• You can complete the approved investment and claim the grant by 11:59pm on 28 February 2027.
• Your business is in good standing with Tamworth Borough Council, with no outstanding debts or unresolved enforcement matters that could affect eligibility.
• You will not exceed the £315,000 subsidy limit that applies under the UK subsidy control rules.

If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility requirements, contact the Economic Development Team before applying.

What can the grant pay for?

The grant is for new capital investment that provides a lasting benefit to your business.

Examples include:

• New machinery, equipment or specialist tools.
• Specialist software or licences that improve productivity or automation.
• Digital systems that improve efficiency, customer management, stock management or production.
• Specialist technology or hardware needed to support growth.
• Equipment for developing new products, services or processes.
• Equipment for testing, research, prototyping or product development.
• Low-carbon equipment or technology that reduces energy use, waste or emissions.

Your application must explain how the proposed investment links to the recommendations from your Growth Ladder or Build and Scale programme and how it will help your business grow.

What can't the grant pay for?

The grant cannot be used for:

• Laptops, tablets or mobile phones.
• Salaries, wages or owner drawings.
• Rent, utilities, business rates or other ongoing running costs.
• Repairs and maintenance.
• Website development or marketing.
• Online subscriptions.
• Insurance or debt repayment.
• VAT, tax or National Insurance.
• Working capital.
• Personal vehicles.
• Regular stock.
• Entertainment, hospitality, food or consumables.
• Existing projects or activities.
• Anything purchased before the grant is formally awarded.

This list is not exhaustive. The council may also decide that other costs are not eligible.

You can use the grant towards a larger purchase

The purchase does not have to cost £1,000 or less.

For example, if an eligible piece of equipment costs £2,500, the grant could contribute up to £1,000 towards the purchase.

You must pay the full cost of the purchase before the Council can reimburse your grant.

How does payment work?

This is a reimbursement grant, not an upfront payment.

If your application is approved:

1. Sign the grant agreement and accept the terms and conditions.
2. Purchase the approved item.
3. Pay the supplier in full.
4. Submit your claim and evidence to the Council.
5. Receive your grant payment by BACS.

You will need to provide evidence such as:

• A paid invoice or receipt.
• Evidence of the payment.
• A bank statement showing the transaction.

Cash payments cannot be reimbursed.

Key dates

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Before you apply

You must successfully complete either the Growth Ladder or Build and Scale programme delivered through Staffordshire County Council.

Places on these programmes are limited, so businesses are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

You can apply for the grant while taking part in one of these programmes, but you must successfully complete the programme before you can receive grant funding.

How applications are assessed

Applications will be assessed against the grant's eligibility criteria.

We will consider:

• Whether the proposed investment clearly supports your business growth plans.
• Whether the project is realistic and can be completed within the required timescale.
• Whether you are ready to proceed with the investment.
• Whether the costs are reasonable and represent good value for money.
• Whether any additional funding needed to complete the project is available.

Applications that demonstrate wider benefits may also be viewed positively, including:

• Job or apprenticeship creation.
• Improved productivity.
• Low-carbon investment.
• Improved energy efficiency.
• Reduced waste.
• Improved environmental sustainability.

What happens after the grant?

We want to understand the difference the grant makes to local businesses.

After completing your project, we may ask you to provide information about the results of your investment, such as increased sales, improved productivity, time savings, new customers, new products, jobs created or environmental improvements.

We may also ask for photographs or a short case study about your business.

The council may contact you for an update for up to 12 months after receiving your grant.

Successful applicants may also be invited to take part in promotional activity celebrating local business success.

Ready to apply?

Request an application form from the Tamworth Borough Council Economic Development Team. Email: business@tamworth.gov.uk

Please include your business name and contact details and state that you are interested in the Business Growth Action Grant.

Applications must be submitted by 2pm on 30 November 2026.

Need advice before applying?

If you are unsure whether your business or proposed investment is eligible, contact the Economic Development Team for an informal discussion: business@tamworth.gov.uk

A member of the team will get in touch to discuss your query.