Grants on offer to rural small businesses in England
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Posted: Fri 30th May 2025
Several grant schemes providing funding to rural businesses in England are currently open for applications.
The money is from the government's Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), which is aimed at improving local infrastructure and essential services that benefit rural communities and helping businesses in rural areas to expand.
The government announced £33 million for the fund in March.
All 2025/26 local allocations of funding are here, with more details of some of the latest schemes below:
Test Valley Borough Council in Hampshire has £154,000 of REPF money to support rural communities and businesses during 2025-2026. All funding must be claimed by 26 March 2026. More detail here.
Northumberland County Council has £1.1m in grants for micro and small rural businesses. Grants of between £10,000 and £300,000 are available for supporting capital investment in projects that lead to long-term growth, improved productivity, or market diversification. The programme runs until 31 March 2026, with all funded projects to be completed by December 2025. More details here.
Stroud District Council in Gloucestershire has £120,261 for businesses and community groups in eligible rural areas for grants to support capital projects. There are grants of between £5,000 - £20,000 with 60% match funding, or £5,000 - £10,000 with no match funding. More details here.
Bedford Borough Council has £165,675 of REPF money to give away. Applications close at 12pm on 30 June. More details here.
Horsham District Council has £260,000 to invest in local rural businesses and sustainable community projects. Applications close at 12pm on 13 June. More details here.
Uttlesford District Council in Essex has £244,000. Grants of up to £25,000 are available to support visitor economy and hospitality businesses, food producers and tourist attractions to develop new products or facilities or improve productivity. More details here.
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