Covid era Start-up Grants

Enterprising Erewash is a grant fund that has been designed to sustain / create new jobs and / or contribute to an increase in turnover in start-up and early-stage enterprises that commenced trading between 1st January 2020 and 31st December 2021 that have been adversely affected by Covid-19. The scheme, developed in conjunction with Erewash Partnership Limited, will enable newer businesses to establish and grow whilst making a positive contribution to the Erewash economy by sustaining and creating new job opportunities.

Small business grants will be made available for businesses who have started trading during the pandemic, but have faced challenges and struggled to establish owing to its adverse effects. This fund is appropriate for newer businesses, particularly those with a limited trading history, and who are less able to substantiate their financial losses, but can demonstrate that they have adversely suffered because of Covid-19.

The fund offers grants of up to *£5,000.  Funds can be used, for example, to invest in new equipment, improve premises / security, have a website built or purchase consultancy advice - whatever will help to develop your business.

How to Claim

Businesses can apply for an ARG Start-up grant online here www.grantapproval.co.uk using the Quick Code 448A10

Applicants will be required to explain how will the funds be used to support business sustainability and growth.  Funding is limited; applications that demonstrate one or more of the following will be prioritised:

  • will create new jobs
  • will safeguard existing jobs
  • will increase the scope and scale of the business activity
  • will improve performance

* Grant amounts may be varied subject to demand and the quality of applications / job creation potential

To be eligible to be considered for the grant the business must:

  • Have an independent business within the Borough of Erewash that commenced trading after 1st January 2020 and before 31st December 2021
  • Be able to demonstrate negative impacts upon the business resulting from the pandemic
  • Be the main source of income for the owners
  • Employ between 1 and 9 (full-time equivalent) members of staff

If successful:

  • Provide on request/retain valid quotations for all goods or services procured through the grant
  • Provide on request/retain bank statements and valid invoices, to be able to demonstrate the expenditure
  • You will be contacted in 6 months time to discuss the impact of the project

Erewash Partnership Limited will also be offering confidential and impartial Business Advisory Services and workshops for businesses that started trading since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic. The business reviews offered will help to identify barriers to sustainability and growth – offer guidance and support, plus option of support to apply for a grant.

If you wish to contact us regarding any of the ARG schemes, you can do so at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.