Digital High Streets

Grants of up to £1,500 to SMEs / community groups to help independent high street retailers, leisure and tourism businesses establish or upgrade e-commerce websites.

Who’s it for?

• Independent businesses operating within the town centre boundaries of Crediton, Cullompton and Tiverton.

The fund is a discretionary scheme that provides funding to independent high street retailers to enhance their e-commerce offer and make the most of online business opportunities.

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 a registered charity or voluntary organisation with the Charity Commission; 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).

In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria, applications will be prioritised on:

• The impact of the project on the business – businesses without an e-commerce website or with an outdated e-commerce website will be prioritised.
• The extent to which the project will enhance the e-commerce capabilities of the business.
• Value for money.

What can you get?

• Mid Devon based businesses can apply for a one-off grant of up to 50% of the cost of business projects (up to a maximum grant value of £1,500) towards enhancing their e-commerce offer.
• This is a mixed grant scheme supporting capital costs (towards fixed assets) or some revenue costs where there isn’t an ongoing commitment.  Examples include: creation of a new website, software/equipment to connect physical and digital trade (such as EPOS systems) or other revenue costs such as digital training where this has a direct benefit on the business.

What is not eligible?

• Websites that will not have an e-commerce function
• Laptops and computers
• Services, for example, digital marketing provision by a third party
• Maintenance of existing digital technology
• Domain name
• Website hosting as a stand-alone cost
• Paid advertising for example Google AdWords and Facebook
• Applications from businesses that have previously received a Digital High Street grant for another or same unit in Mid Devon.
• Applications from non-independent businesses (chain stores) or businesses not in retail, leisure or tourism.
• Applications from businesses outside of the town centre boundaries of Crediton, Cullompton or Tiverton.
• Projects that require ongoing revenue costs, unless the funding is to support a launch/pilot phase and the applicant can clearly demonstrate a robust commitment for the ongoing costs.
• Any works that have commenced or been completed, or items purchased or leased before an offer of a grant has been made.
• Initiatives promoting a political party.
• Initiatives that conflict with existing Council policies and priorities.
• Businesses insolvent, in administration or without legal status are not eligible for Funding.

Important information:

• Projects must be deliverable by 31 December 2024
• 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 and licensing checks 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 50% 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:

• Three recent (within the last 3 months) comparable, detailed quotes (including VAT amount)
• Outline of your current website and online presence
• Clearly detail the expected benefits to your business
• 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 (eg Planning, Licensing, Highways), don’t forget to include this in your project plan and costs).
• Completed subsidy declaration form.
• Any other relevant supporting 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 of appeal.