Business grants are on offer for firms

DERBYSHIRE Dales businesses looking for financial support to develop or grow are invited to take advantage of a series of business grants.

The objectives of the business grants are to improve business productivity and resilience, encourage carbon reduction and enable the creation of skilled roles.

Launched by Derbyshire Dales District Council, the initiative offers grants of up to 80% of eligible costs. Three levels of grant funding are available for projects costing between £2,500 and £150,000.

One local business that has successfully applied for a grant is TDP Ltd, who are based in Wirksworth.

As a family-based small business they have been pioneering sustainable products for more than 30 years. In

2012 the company started to manufacture a range of outdoor furniture made from 100% recycled plastic waste so that it could have a positive impact on people and the planet. Recently the company was awarded The King’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category for the environmental benefits of its innovative products.

A £20,750 Business Growth Grant has helped the company to install a new dust extraction unit.

This new equipment has enabled them to keep up with demand, improve production efficiency and develop new products. TDP have invested heavily over the last three years and the new extractor was the final part of the jigsaw and has allowed them to free up more time on the machines, to allow for both organic and planned growth.

Rob Barlow, Managing

Director of TDP said: “The help provided by Derbyshire Dales District Council’s Economic Development Department was invaluable to us in applying for the grant. We are now looking at further expansion including recruitment to add another member to our busy production team.”

Rob added, “A big part of our positive impact falls in the realm of sustainability and our carbon emissions. Early indications show that this new dust extractor uses only a third of the energy of the older unit.”

Other businesses that have recently submitted successful applications include Alphaweld LTD (Calver), Billie Rose Therapy and Wellbeing (Matlock) and CEM Solutions Ltd (Darley Dale).

The grant schemes are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

For further information about the grants scheme and how to apply go to www. investinderbyshiredales.org/ grants