Finance and funding
Getting the right type of finance for your business is essential. There are many different types available including loans, grants and investment - each of them designed to meet different needs.
Grants to help businesses
Shop Front Improvement Grants
The Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund. A total budget of £45,000 has been allocated, aiming to award a minimum of 45 grants of up to £1,000 each. Additional grants may be available if applications of less than £1,000 are received
Grants will be available to support capital investments that improve the external appearance and accessibility of eligible business premises—such as signage, lighting, outdoor furniture, or substantial shopfront repairs.
The aim of this scheme is to:
- Revitalise the appearance of towns and neighbourhood centres
- Increase footfall to these area
- Safeguard local jobs
- Support the long-term sustainability of businesses through high-quality improvements
To be eligible to apply for a grant, businesses must be:
- Located in a town centre area within West Oxfordshire
- A micro or small to medium-sized enterprise (SME)
- Open to the public without the need for an appointment
How much can I apply for?
Businesses can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 to cover the cost of capital expenses.
When to apply.
The application window will be open from 8 to 14 September 2025. Applicants are encouraged to review the Shop Front Improvement Grant guidance in advance and prepare the required supporting documents to ensure eligibility.
Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme - guidance and information - pdf - 199 Kb
The application form will be available here when the scheme opens to applications.
Contact us
If you would like to know more about the Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme, or have any queries regarding your application, please contact us at: Business@westoxon.gov.uk
Rural Enterprise Growth Grants
Supporting innovation and sustainability in West Oxfordshire’s rural and farming economy.
Applications are now open for the Rural Enterprise Growth Grant (REGG) - a capital grant scheme helping rural and agricultural businesses across West Oxfordshire to grow, diversify, and futureproof.
Funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund, REGG offers grants between £5,000 and £20,000 to support projects that boost productivity, create jobs, and promote low-carbon innovation.
This is a competitive funding round with limited funds (£64,000 total) - we strongly encourage high-quality applications.
Key facts:
- Grant window: 20 June – 18 July 2025
- Location: Projects must be based in West Oxfordshire
- Match funding: Minimum 25%
- Deadline for project completion: 28 February 2026
Eligible projects include renewable energy systems, rural workspace improvements, and equipment to support sustainable production or diversification.
Read the full Rural Enterprise Growth Grant guidance notes below to check if your project is eligible.
Complete the application form below and submit it with all required documents by 5pm, Friday 18 July 2025.
Rural Enterprise Growth Grant - application form - docx - 102 Kb
Sustainable Tourism Grant Scheme
The Cotswold Tourism will soon be launching a new Sustainable Tourism Grant scheme where capital funding from £1,000 to £10,000 will be available for eco-friendly improvements.
Full details will be released soon - don’t miss out! Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear when applications open.
Low Carbon Hub Green Fund
Low Carbon Hub’s Green Fund can provide up to £10,000 in grant funding for any energy saving recommendation in one of their ESOx building energy assessment reports. These assessments are currently available to any SME in West Oxfordshire for free, due to UK Shared Prosperity Funding from West Oxfordshire District Council.
The grant will cover 25% of the implementation of any recommended measure. Businesses can apply for more than one item, but the total grant request must not exceed £10,000. The other 75% of the project costs, can be covered through capital, a bank loan or another grant funder. Projects which are already underway or completed are not eligible.
For more details about the Green Fund, including the Sept 2025, Dec 2025 and March 2026 application deadlines visit the Green Fund web page.
If you would like an assessment, please fill in this assessment form.
Innovation funding
Innovate UK is the Government's innovation agency and it distributes grants to help businesses cover the cost of R&D activity. The grants tend to be competitions focussed on specific technologies which are announced at very regular intervals. Innovate UK also runs "open" competitions which are not sector specific. It is worth checking Innovate UK's website regularly for recent funding announcements.
For more information please visit the:
Other grants
We subscribe to Grants Online Local, a free, user-friendly service to help organisations identify funding sources available for specific projects. You will need to register the first time you use the site.
To search for grants, please visit the:
Investment
Oxford Innovation Finance
Oxford Innovation Finance is the home of OION, one of the oldest and largest angel investment networks in the UK, and the Oxford Innovation EIS Growth Fund.
As a part of the SQW Group, Oxford Innovation Finance is well connected to the early-stage/start-up ecosystem and, through its sister companies, is able to offer connections to a wide range of support, beyond that of just access to finance.
For more information please visit the:
The FSE Group
Finance South East help growth businesses achieve their potential through direct investment from its £33.6m funds under management, together with a range of professional support and advice. It provides an integrated, independent and specialist offering which prepares companies for investment and high growth.
For more information please visit the:
Loans for businesses
Start-up Loan Scheme
The Start-up Loan Scheme is a Government funded initiative that provides a business loan together with a mentor for people starting up a new business.
For more information please visit the:
Funding Circle
Funding Circle is an online peer-to-business lending platform connecting businesses and investors, where businesses get fast business loans and investors earn returns on their investments. Funding Circle has helped over 130,000 businesses to borrow £14.5 billion so far.
For more information please visit the:
Dealing with business debt
Problems paying tax bills
HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) Business Payment Support Service is there to help businesses that are aware they may not be able to make a payment due in full before the payment deadline.
For more information please visit the:
Organisations offering free advice on debt problems
For free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems, please visit the:
For free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities and is experienced in helping with personal debt problems, please visit the:
Further information on business finance
Better Business Finance provides impartial information and support to businesses and entrepreneurs looking to develop and grow. It was set up by Barclays, HSBC, RBS, Lloyds and Santander in 2011 and is managed by UK Finance in collaboration with its business and finance partners.
For further info:
If you are not sure where to start, then email our Business Development Team or call 01993 861485 and we will point you in the right direction.