Hospitality Grant Fund
Grants of £5,000–£25,000 help independent hospitality businesses in Harborough District install solar panels, smart energy controls or energy-efficient catering equipment.
Denne finansieringsmulighed er i øjeblikket beskrevet på engelsk.
You can fund new capital projects that create lasting assets or upgrade equipment: solar panels, smart energy management systems, and high-efficiency catering equipment that expands capacity while reducing energy use.
The grant covers up to 75% of eligible capital costs. Your business must supply at least 25% from alternative business sources. Payment comes only after the entire project is complete and you have submitted verified expenditure documents, so you must finance the work before reimbursement.
Projects must finish within the current financial year unless the Council formally approves an extension. Any budget underspend must be returned. Recipients must acknowledge the funding, display Council logos and take part in scheme publicity. Funding may be taxable. False records used to obtain a grant lead to prosecution and full recovery of funds.
Eligibility
This listing covers businesses trading for at least 12 months before applying.
- Your independent hospitality business must be physically located in Harborough District and actively paying business rates to Harborough District Council. Eligible sectors include food and beverage, pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, guest accommodation and leisure. SMEs with 1–249 staff and sole traders can apply; franchises cannot.
- You need a dedicated business bank account in the organisation’s name. The Council can request up to three years of accounts; one or two years are accepted for businesses trading for less than three years. A business can receive at most one grant per financial year under this scheme.
- Do not start the project before formal grant approval. Operating costs, salaries, utility bills, rent, routine maintenance, repairs, general upkeep and mobile vehicles are excluded.
- Your project must show a clear public benefit and align with Council corporate priorities and the Harborough District Economic Development Strategy 2024–2031. Show its contribution to local employment or skills, town and village vitality, business productivity or capacity, or green growth and low-carbon operations.
Eligible applications are assessed on public benefit and strategic fit (20%), customer demand and economic value (25%), financial viability and value for money (20%), readiness to deliver (20%), and sustainability or green technology (15%). Required permissions must be in hand.
How to apply
- Status
- lukker 30. nov. 2026
- Åbner
- Lukker
- Vilkår for ansøgningsrunden
- Applications are reviewed as they arrive. The Council may close the scheme early if funding is fully allocated.
Discuss your proposed project with the Council’s Economic Development team before applying; the Council strongly encourages this step. Submit your application through the GrantApproval online portal linked from the programme page.
Upload a recent business bank statement, your latest business-rates bill and accounts covering at least 12 months of trading. Provide at least three written quotes from different suppliers for all project items or works, and explain your preferred supplier. For physical alterations, provide ownership or lease evidence; leased premises also need written landlord consent. Include any required planning permission, building control approval and operating licences.
Applications are assessed as they arrive, and the scheme can close early if funds are allocated. The Council aims to notify you through the portal within four weeks. Decisions are final, with a written explanation if unsuccessful.