If you’re a small business based in Bassetlaw, there’s never been a better time to invest in your online presence, because the council could be footing the bill.
Thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Bassetlaw District Council is now offering up to £4,000 in grant funding to help local businesses grow. It includes building or enhancing your website, adding eCommerce, or improving your digital marketing or social media presence.
Here’s everything you need to know – and how we can help you make it happen.
What is the Bassetlaw Growth Grant?
The Bassetlaw Growth Grant is a government-funded initiative aimed at helping local businesses develop, grow and innovate. The grant is worth up to £4,000 and is designed to help local businesses thrive.
Delivery: May 2025 – March 2026
Click here for more information
Who can apply for the grant?
To be eligible for the Growth Grant, your business must:
- Be based and operating in the Bassetlaw District
- Employ fewer than 150 people
- Have been trading for at least 3 years
- Pay business rates (or claim Small Business Rate Relief) to Bassetlaw District Council
- Not have applied for previous rounds of this grant
- Have a business premises (this excludes home-based or high street businesses)
- Engaged with a business adviser from the council before applying
You’ll also need to provide your business registration number (Companies House, VAT, or UTR) and some basic documents, like a bank statement and recent accounts.
What can the grant be used for?
Here’s what the grant can cover:
- Developing a website for your business or enhancing an existing one
- Adaption or introduction of eCommerce into the business, i.e. allowing you to sell your products/services online
- Adaption or introduction of an electronic payment system into your business, i.e. contactless payments and click & collect
- Setting up or assisting in using existing social media platforms more effectively
- Developing a marketing plan and delivering associated activities
- Engaging consultancy support to implement the above
This is not an exhaustive list, but is provided as an example of business improvement techniques that will be supported. If you have other ideas for using the grant funding for business development, it’s probably best to speak with a business adviser from the council first.
The grant can’t be used for things like rent or deposits for premises, working capital, stock/materials, loan repayments or wages. Please check the Bassetlaw Council website for more information on this as you may be liable to financial clawback from the Council if money is spent on ineligible costs.
When and how to apply
Applications are now open until March 2026 and will be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. So the sooner you apply, the better your chances.
You’ll need to speak to a business adviser from Bassetlaw District Council first. If your project is a good fit, they’ll support your application and send you everything you need to get started. You’ll need to submit:
- A completed application form
- A project action plan (we can help with this)
- Supporting documents (bank statement, accounts, etc.)
If successful, you’ll receive your funding up front, and you’ll have three months to provide proof of your investment of the grant.
How can we help?
We’re already working with local businesses to turn this funding into real results. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need to modernise your existing website, we can:
- Put you in touch with a business adviser from the council to get started and scope out your ideas
- Provide a clear project proposal and cost to support your grant application
- Help deliver a new website or eCommerce platform that helps your business grow
- Offer support with digital marketing strategy and activity, including SEO, social media, and content creation
