Business news

Access new business grants to spend on advice for dealing with COVID-19.

I'm a <a href='https://danmartinuk.com/' target='_self'>freelance content creator and event host</a> who helps small businesses and the organisations that support them. I'm also Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol.
I have 20 years of experience as a small business journalist having interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs from famous names like Sir Richard Branson and Deborah Meaden to the founders behind brand new start-ups.
I've worked for a range of leading small business publications and support groups, most recently as head of content at Enterprise Nation where I was responsible for the prolific output of content on the company's blog and social media. I now freelance for Enterprise Nation as the website's <a href='https://www.enterprisenation.com/business-news' target='_self'>news reporter</a> and as the host of the <a href='https://www.enterprisenation.com/podcast' target='_self'>Small Business sessions podcast</a>.
I'm based in Bristol where I run and host regular events with the local small business community in my role as Enterprise Nation's Local Leader for Bristol. I also have strong connections with other major business organisations in the south west region.
In total, I've hosted over 100 events including conferences with an audience of hundreds for international brands like Xero and Facebook and live web chats from inside 10 Downing Street.
With my partner, I co-run <a href='https://www.lifestyledistrict.co.uk/' target='_self'>Lifestyle District</a>, a lifestyle blog focused on culture, art, theatre and photography.

Freelance content creator & event host

Enterprise Nation has published a spreadsheet of links to all Growth Hubs in England where small businesses can register interest in grants to access new equipment and professional advice.

Unveiled in July, the £20m funding, provided by the England European Regional Development Fund, is aimed at helping small firms get back on track during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grants of £1,000 to £5,000 can be spent on equipment to adapt or adopt new technology in order to continue to deliver business activity or diversify in response to COVID-19.

They can also be used to pay for one-to-one specialist business advice for responding to the impact of the pandemic such as HR, accounting, legal, finance, health and safety and IT experts.

SMEs with fewer than 250 staff, a turnover under €50m and were trading on or before 1 March 2020 can apply.

The programme is being delivered by England's 38 Growth Hubs. Each has been provided with a minimum of £250,000. The funding allocation for each area 

All grants must be awarded by 28 February 2021 and all activity fully completed by 31 March 2021.

Apply for the coronavirus business grants

Some Growth Hubs have already started allocating the grants while others are inviting businesses to register their interest by filling in a form or signing up to a newsletter to stay updated.

Government grants for small businesses in England to access advice

Government grants for small businesses in England to access advice: The links you need

Access new government grants for businesses in England to spend on advice for dealing with COVID-19.

Access new business grants to spend on advice for dealing with COVID-19.

