Find funding
Looking for a grant or loan to start or grow your business? Explore your finance options and secure investment for your business.
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Whether you want to extend your premises, take on more staff or improve your facilities, there are many potential sources of funding.
In this section you can also find guidance on managing your finances more effectively to maximise your profit margins.
Top Resources
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Understanding your finance options
Learn about the different kinds of finance available and how to get investor ready with this guidance from the British Business Bank.
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Low cost loans for new businesses
Find out about the low-cost, government-backed funding that’s already helped 55,000 start-ups.
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Pricing and charging
How to advertise your prices within the law and the ban on debit and credit card payment charges.
Getting funding
As well as specific funding available for start-ups and rural businesses, loans and grants may also be available for tourism businesses looking to grow.
Business finance support finder
The Government’s finance support finder tool, from local initiatives to national schemes.
Understanding your finance options
Learn about the different kinds of finance available and how to get investor ready with this guidance from the British Business Bank.
Low cost loans for new businesses
Find out about the low-cost, government-backed funding that’s already helped 55,000 start-ups.
Finance to grow your small business
Expand your business, hire more staff or fund your next step by borrowing cash from Funding Circle.
More ways to raise cash for your business
Get impartial information and support on raising money from Better Business Finance, set up by some of Britain’s biggest banks.
Responsible loans for your business
Not all lenders are the same; learn about responsible lenders who make fair and affordable loans across the UK.
North of Tyne Growth Fund
SMEs in the North East looking to expand could be eligible for a grant under the North of Tyne Growth Fund.
Innovate UK EDGE
Innovate UK EDGE can help you access funding and provides free tailored advice for small businesses to innovate and grow internationally.
Business Growth Programme grants for Leeds businesses
The Leeds City Region LEP has a growth programme which can provide grants of £10,000-£250,000 to SMEs.
Guidance for charities from NCVO
Practical support for charities, from applying for a grant to local advice and support.
Help to Grow: Digital
Help to Grow: Digital helps SMEs buy and adopt digital technologies, through free advice and up to £5,000 in financial support.
Grants online
Information on the current grant schemes available, with a grant finder search function.
Find eligible grants for your business
A grant finder tool from Companies House, currently in beta version.
Cultural Development Fund
Expressions of interest for the Cultural Development Fund open on 6 June.
Electric charging point grants for accommodation businesses
Accommodation businesses can apply for £350 grant to install an electric vehicle charging point.
Other grants for electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Guidance on all Government grants for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Internationalisation Fund
SMEs in England, outside of London, can apply for match-funded grants of between £1,000 and £9,000 to help internationalise their business.
Recovery Loan Scheme
Now extended until April 2023, the Recovery Loan Scheme aims to help businesses relieve cost pressures following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Low Carbon Across the South and East grant programme
SMEs in the South and East of England can apply for grants of up to £10,000 as well as training workshops and fully funded events.
Rural Prosperity Fund
Rural businesses can apply to the Rural Prosperity Fund to invest and grow.
Managing your accounts
Learn what you can and can’t charge for in our Pink Book Online, get to grips with taking card payments and access expert advice on your tax obligations.
Help with tax for self-employed
Get help if you’re running your own business by using these videos, webinars and online courses from HMRC.
Help and support for VAT
Get free help and support for VAT using videos, webinars, online courses and email alerts from HMRC.
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Taking credit and debit cards
Get information about taking payment cards, including cost savings and cash flow benefits.
Pricing and charging
How to advertise your prices within the law and the ban on debit and credit card payment charges.
Cancellations and no-shows
Your rights when a guest cancels and your obligations if you cannot fulfil a booking.
Resolving financial disputes
Which organisations can help you in the event of a dispute, including the free services available from the Financial Ombudsman Service and Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS).
Financial Ombudsman Service
A free service designed for smaller SMEs that settles complaints between consumers and businesses that provide financial services.
Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS)
A free service designed to resolve disputes between larger SMEs and participating banks.
Alternative dispute resolution
What you need to do if you cannot resolve a dispute with a customer and what to show on your website if you take online bookings.
Find local support
Your local Destination Organisation or LEP Growth Hub may be able to help you access funding.
