Business Refresh Grant Scheme Guidance

Refresh grants of up to £2,500 to SMEs to help existing commercial, retail, leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses refresh their look with priority given to those within our in the town and village centres.

Who’s it for?

• Independent businesses operating from a unit within the town centre boundaries of Bampton, Crediton, Cullompton and Tiverton and surrounding villages.

To be considered for a grant, organisations must:

• Have legal status ie:
  • Be a registered business or social enterprise with HMRC or Companies House; or
  • Be registered charity or voluntary organisations with the Charity Commissions; or
  • Be an arms-length body of government, public sector organisation, local authority or higher and further education institution.
  • Be prepared to cooperate with any due-diligence checks and to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant.
  • Have a UK-based bank account in the name of the business and not have unmanageable debt.

Start-up and pre-start-up businesses can also apply but will only receive the funding if they proceed with an application to register with HMRC.

If an applicant is a director/owner/major shareholder of more than one enterprise registered/trading at a particular address, only one of those enterprises can receive Prosperity Funding.

Applicants must also:

• Own the property or have a secure lease on the property (or the evidenced clear prospect thereof).
• Be responsible for ensuring that all necessary permissions are obtained as applicable eg planning permission, building regulation consent and leaseholder/landlord consents before project work can commence.

What can you get?

• Mid Devon based businesses can apply for a one-off capital grant of up to 80% of the cost of business project (up to a maximum grant value of £2,500) that enhances their commercial space, improving the customer’s experience.
• The grant scheme supports small internal capital improvements to the business unit and items of fittings and furniture to revitalise the business space.
• This is a capital grant scheme and can only be used towards capital spend (one off costs, costs of permanent items, structures etc) it cannot be used for maintenance or on-going costs.

What is not eligible?

• Applications from businesses that have previously received Prosperity Funding.
• Applications from non-independent businesses (chain stores).
• Revenue expenditure (this is a capital-only grant scheme), which includes any form of advertising or promotional costs or ongoing running costs, as well as professional fees (eg planning fees or consultants).
• Laptops and computers.
• Any works that have commenced or been completed, or items purchased before an offer of a grant has been made.
• Initiatives promoting a political party.
• Initiatives that conflict with existing Council policies and priorities.
• Applications for the purchase of stock.
• Businesses insolvent, in administration or without legal status are not eligible for Funding.

Important Information:

• Projects must be deliverable by 31 January 2026
• This is an open-application scheme, meaning funds are allocated on a first-come first-served basis to eligible applicants.
• This is a limited funding pot and the scheme will close once the funding is fully committed. Where funds available are less than requested, a reduced grant offer will be made.
• We are required to carry out business rates as part of your application.
• Your application may be delayed without the key information above.
• If your business is VAT registered and the expenditure will be used in the supply of VAT-eligible goods or services then the grant will be made excluding VAT.
• Applications are for one-off grants only.
• All applications require at least 20% match funding.

How to apply:

Submit an expression of interest email to businessgrants@middevon.gov.uk to request an application form.

Supporting Evidence

Please note, you will need the following supporting paperwork:

• Before photo(s)
• A mock-up of the proposed works if applicable (eg for any structural or physical improvements to the building)
• Three recent (within the last 3 months) comparable, detailed quotes (including VAT amount) if the amount is higher than £2,499 from one supplier or two quotes if the amount is lower than £2,499 from one supplier
• Confirmation that you have checked if your project requires planning, advertising or listed building consent along with copies of any required permissions/consents (e.g. Planning Permissions) as applicable.
• Landlord’s written consent where applicable.
• A recent bank statement (within 3 months) to verify the payment information and trading activity the bank statement must show the business name, sort code and bank account number).
• Breakdown of project costs (tip: if your project requires legal or regulatory permissions (e.g. Planning, Licensing, Highways), don’t forget to include this in your project plan and costs).
• A schedule of the proposed work including timescale and builder’s specification showing product, materials and work required (as applicable).
• Completed subsidy declaration form.
• Any other relevant support document(s).

Once we have received your completed application, it will be reviewed and considered for funding by a Funding Panel and you will be informed of the decision. There is no right to appeal.