Support hub flooded with grant requests
A BUSINESS support hub in Gloucestershire has stopped accepting applications for grants online after being inundated in the first hour of launching.
The Growth Hub, which opened applications on Monday, paused its web page after just 65 minutes after receiving 200 submissions.
The hub said its teams would now go through the first applications and assess them to see if any funds are still available for a second round. It has also closed the online form to further submissions during this time.
Alex Cottrell, manager of the Growth Hub, said: “We have done this for two reasons. Firstly, to make sure that businesses do not waste valuable time completing an application when funds may already be allocated.
“Secondly, to allow our teams to go through the first 200 submissions and assess them in terms of the grant type, amount requested and project eligibility.
“Once we have done this, we’ll know what funds may still be available for the second round of applications, and if so, which grant they remain available for.”
Earlier this month, the Gloucestershire Growth Hub announced it had been allocated £464,655 to distribute to businesses, with an estimated grant size of £3,000 for each company. It followed an announcement in
65 Minutes before the Growth Hub
paused its web page
July by Simon Clarke MP, minister for regional growth and local government, that communities will have access to financial support as part of economic recovery plans across the country.
With the grant distribution plans, the Growth Hub estimated the approval of up to 150 grants.
“We know that businesses are going to be disappointed if they aren’t successful in getting one of a limited number of grants, but we do want to remind everyone of the other types of support that they are entitled to from our Gloucestershire Growth Hub network,” Alex added.
“We know that the challenges businesses face right now have not been seen over the last six years, but even so, I am confident that our fully funded teams of experts and business delivery partners can help. So, I would encourage all businesses to get in touch.”