Applications are now being invited for the Liverpool City Region Capital Grant Fund which offers grants to SMEs of up to £75,000 for growth, technology, or decarbonisation projects. Tony McDonough reports

Business in Liverpool city region looking to invest in growth, new technology or decarbonisation projects can now apply for grants of up to £75,000.

Liverpool City Region Capital Grant Fund is now open for applications. The fund is being delivered by St Helens Chamber but grants are available to firms in five boroughs – Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens.

The fund will support small and medium sized businesses operating in B2B sectors with high growth potential that are looking to invest in their future plans for expansion through the purchase of plant and equipment or other fixed assets.

Over the past year, many businesses have had to pause plans for investment and expansion due to the impacts of the pandemic. This new fund has been launched at an opportune time, when firms are working to get things back on track and planning for the future.

The Capital Grant Fund is part of the LCR High Growth Programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is open to SMEs based in the Liverpool city region, with the exception of Halton.

They are firms that will be looking to develop their business with capital investments, including but not limited to:

• Digitisation
• Innovation
• Low carbon technology adoption
• Reaching new markets

Grants from minimum £10,000 to maximum £75,000 are available, providing 20% towards the cost of business investment. The grants cannot pay for day-to-day running costs, staff wages, servicing debt or towards cash flow.

Geoff Bates, business support manager at St Helens Chamber, said: “We have successfully delivered capital grant funds in the past and are excited to be involved in this programme.

“This will be a catalyst to growth, giving businesses throughout Liverpool city region the opportunity to forge ahead with their expansion plans that have been put on hold over the last year.”

Click here for more information or contact Mick Gallagher, grant fund investment adviser, on 07833 309536 or email businessgrants@sthelenschamber.com