Business Link is the main channel through which High Peak businesses can access government support. Pre-start, start-up and established businesses of all sizes and from any sector can access this free and impartial service. Dedicated Business Link Advisers operate across the Borough with whom businesses can meet with locally to discuss their business support requirements.
The Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership has established an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) advice line (external website**) to assist businesses in the area to take full advantage of the opportunities that ICT can bring. Grant assistance may also be available for businesses looking to invest in new technology, develop e-commence capability, or develop online booking systems. To access the advice line contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644.
Peak Forest village has suffered, in the past, from a number of spots without broadband access, frustrating both residents, who wanted to surf the Internet, and local companies who need good broadband access to run a successful business.
Avanti Communications, which was contracted by the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership, has now eradicated the not spot problem, with the DDEP providing funding for small receiver boxes which are needed to receive the signal, as well as the first month’s subscription.
For further information,
For small businesses, based in the UK, who see reducing greenhouse gases as a business opportunity, not just a cost or compliance. Visit the Shell Springboard Awards website (external website**) for details, then click on the Apply link to get to the Apply Now page (external website**). The closing date for applications is midnight on Friday 7th November 2008.
Business mentoring advice is available through the Mentoring For All initiative (external website**). This offers established businesses with a programme of 10 sessions with a business mentor, who is matched according to your needs. The mentor can by used to discuss any issue relating to the management or operation of your business. For further information,
.There is still room for additional companies to apply to the Growth Readiness Programme (external website**), that makes up part of HighGrowth East Midlands, the flagship business support scheme of emda.
Designed for companies that are poised to take off, it focuses on developing a strategic vision and plan. The core programme offers an initial diagnosis of a company's development potential, a one-day coaching module for chief executives and five days of individual coaching. For further information,
Peak Directions (External website**) is a comprehensive website that details more than 400 links to a range of organisations that provide support and information for businesses and social enterprises in the Peak District area.
This is a guide to the wide range of organisations offering expert guidance and services to support local businesses across Derbyshire. The directory provides contact information and a brief description of the service that particular business support organisations offer.
Derbyshire Constabulary works with partner agencies to reduce business crime and the fear of business crime in a joint initiative known as Derbyshire Against Business Crime. They can offer you advice on site, have a number of free toolkits for local businesses (such as UV marking kits, tamper proof tax discs, auto dialer alarms, door chimes, attack alarms and UV lamps for checking cards and currency) and can offer grants for agreed security improvements. For more information,
Financial assistance is available for small and medium sized enterprises (maximum 249 employees) in the High Peak through the Department of Trade and Industry’s Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) (External website**). This can help fund capital investment, which will help the companies develop and improve productivity. Grants are available between £10,000 and £140,000 at an intervention rate of between 7.5-15%.
East Midlands Early Growth Fund (External website**) provides equity based investments of between £20,000 and £200,000 for start up and early stage businesses which can demonstrate growth potential. Scheme administered by E-Synergy Ltd, on behalf of the East Midlands Development Agency. For further information,
The East Midlands New Technology Initiative (external website**) provides match funded grants of up to £10,000 to small and medium sized businesses to invest in state of the art technology and gain advanced technology skills through NTI approved courses. As part of the funding package, businesses commit to enrolling members of staff on NTI approved courses at local universities and colleges. Support available for businesses in the Creative Industries, High Performance Engineering, Food and Drink and Construction.
EnterpriseLoans East Midlands (external website**) is a loan fund for business start-ups and existing companies, that have been turned away by conventional High Street lenders, such as banks. There are many entrepreneurial people, who struggle to obtain finance, perhaps due to a poor credit history, or because they do not have assets to use for security against loans. This initiative is designed to help such people. Loans of between £3,000 and £20,000 are available. Lending decisions will be made on a commercial basis, with loans being repaid over one to five years at a fixed rate of 5% above base rate and at a minimum of 10.25%.
To qualify for funding from Enterprise Loans East Midlands, whether a new or existing business, applicants must have developed a business plan, approached a bank and been declined, and been referred by a business adviser, such as Business Link.
Entrepreneurs requiring further information about Enterprise Loans East Midlands can either
The Prince's Trust (external website**) offers funding and mentoring support to young people, between the ages of 18 and 30, who are unemployed or underemployed, and wish to start a new business. Applicants may be eligible for low interest loans (3%) up to £5,000, or a small grant. The Trust also provides help with completing a business plan, as well as ongoing advice from a volunteer business mentor. For further information, please
Grants of between £250 and £1,000 are available to businesses with between 2 and 4,999 employees are available at a 50% rate for leadership and management training. Up to 12 individuals per business are eligible. For further information, or to make an appointment to discuss your needs, please
Details of the funding available, and how to apply, can be found in the following leaflet:
; orThis is available to businesses located in the Peak District Rural Action Zone (RAZ), covering all of the High Peak, through the Peak District National Park Authority. The scheme provides assistance for projects that aim to develop more sustainable, diversified and enterprising rural economies and communities. For further information, please
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (External website**) provides information on a range of rural support and funding initiatives for farmers, rural organisations and businesses, voluntary organisations, nature conservation organisations, and forestry. For further information,
The European Union and Defra have devolved £58m to EMDA to deliver the socio-economic elements of the Rural Development Programme for England. Eligible activities include:
A new programme, entitled Raising the Game – Enhancing rural productivity and improving quality of life in the Peak District through Sustainable Micro-Enterprise Development will bring a range of grants to existing small and medium sized businesses and business start-ups in the High Peak, excluding the town centre wards of Glossop (Hadfield) and Buxton.
Grants from £3,500 will be available, with a focus on
There will also be a separate strand for agricultural businesses.
Match funding will normally be required at rate of 50%. The scheme is not yet open to applications (the proposed start date is summer 2008). Any interested parties should bookmark this web page for further developments and details of how to apply, which will be updated here, as soon as they are received.
Certain commercial historic buildings in High Peak may be eligible for restoration and improvement grants. For further information,
The Redundant Rural Buildings Grant (External website**) is administered through Derbyshire County Council. The scheme provides assistance to encourage the owners of redundant buildings to convert them for business use, particularly workspace. The grant is open to a range of prospective applicants including owner-occupiers, limited companies, charities and co-operatives. The building must be in a rural area. Buildings located in the market towns (Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Glossop, New Mills, Whaley Bridge) are not covered by the scheme. The scheme will run until March 2008. For further information, please
J4b Information (external website**) provides businesses with a signposting service to help them find out about grants, financial assistance, subsides and in-kind help. The J4b website is updated continuously, free to use and provides an excellent starting place for finding out about the financial assistance available.
Wheels to Work Derbyshire (external website**) provides short term transport solutions to people living in rural areas, who are experiencing difficulties in accessing training, employment and/or educational opportunities because of a lack of suitable public or private transport. Solutions offered include loan of mopeds for up to 12 months, with the possibility of purchasing the scooter at the end of the loan period, loan of power assisted bikes, and in some cases subsidised driving lessons. For further information, please
**Please note: High Peak Borough Council is not responsible for the content of any external websites.