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We specialise in helping businesses secure funding from some of ​the most impactful grants and loan schemes available in the UK. ​Here are some of the key funds we can help you with as a ​business located with the Ashford Borough:

Who It’s For:

For business that will undertake projects to improve the energy efficiency of its commercial ​premises in rural areas of the Ashford Borough.

Objective: The grant will support the purchase and installation of material or equipment that ​improves the energy efficiency of a business’ commercial property in the rural area. Examples of ​capital projects that the grant could support include:

· Retro-fitting insulation

· Installing LED or other energy efficient lighting systems

· Installation of double or secondary glazing

The grant application can be for 80% of the overall costs, maximum of £5,000. 20% match ​funding is required from the applicant.

Notes:

Third and final round of funding to be launched imminently

Who It’s For: For businesses wishing to facilitate energy transition projects in commercial ​premises in rural areas of the Ashford Borough.

Objective: The grant will support the purchase and installation of alternative energy sourcing ​equipment that improves the carbon footprint of a business’ commercial property in the rural ​area. Examples of capital projects that the grant could support include:

· Installation of Solar PV panels

· Installation of Air or Ground Source Heat Pumps

· Connecting the property to the grid

The grant application can be for 80% of the overall costs, maximum of £5,000. 20% match ​funding is required from the applicant.

Notes: Third and final round of funding to be launched imminently

Who It’s For: The intention of this grant is to facilitate projects in commercial premises in rural ​areas of the Ashford Borough that will support that business to improve productivity, ​operational processes and support its viability and growth.

Objective: This grant will support the purchase and installation of assets such as buildings or ​equipment that improves a business’ productivity and growth in the rural area. Examples of ​capital projects that the grant could support include:

· New commercial ovens for a rural bakery

· New signage or interpretation boards for a tourism venue

· Purchase and installation of new IT or epos equipment

Notes: Third and final round of funding to be launched imminently.

Who It’s For: The intention of this grant is to facilitate projects at commercial sites in rural areas ​of the Ashford Borough. This grant aims to support the creation and uptake of startup space for ​food and drink producers, hospitality or tourism businesses or businesses in sectors ​supporting these industries. Additionally, the grant also aims to support projects that will help ​tackle the last-mile challenge and increase the number of visitors to rural hospitality or tourism ​destinations.

Objective:This grant supports creating commercial spaces for startups addressing the last-mile ​challenge. Eligible projects include:

· Building new incubator space for food/drink production

· Repurposing vacant premises for local produce outlets

· Establishing transport links between key hubs and rural destinations, like vineyards

Notes: Third and final round of funding to be launched imminently

Kent & Medway

Business Funding

Kent County Council offers two key financial support programmes for businesses ​in the region: ​The Standard Loan and the Business Boost Loan. These initiatives are designed to assist small ​and ​medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kent and Medway with financial solutions tailored to ​foster ​growth, expansion, and sustainability.

The 0% KMBF loan aims to support Kent based businesses:

• To develop new capacity to enable the business to grow

• To develop a new product or service

• To introduce new technology

• To invest in a new process to improve productivity

• To demonstrate innovation

• To create sustainable jobs

This scheme is funded by recycled loan repayments from the former Regional ​Growth Fund (RGF) schemes (Expansion East Kent, TIGER and Escalate).

Kent & Medway

Business Funding

Small Business Boost

0% loan between £26,000 and £99,000 (80/20 match funded) funded opportunity to SME’s with ​the potential to create new jobs, expand capacity, or develop new products or services in Kent.

Applications are assessed monthly, offering regular opportunities to access this valuable ​funding source.

Eligible Purchases:

•Land purchase & buildings purchase, land - ​development/works, buildings - construction/improvement

•Related professional fees, fixtures & fittings

•Equipment & machinery

• Up to 12 months Commercial Lease costs

•Wage / employment costs for new permanent employees

•Intangible assets acquired from third parties by the ​transfer of technology or knowledge

Kent & Medway

Business Funding

Standard Loans

0% loan between £100,000 and £600,000 (50/50 match funded) funded opportunity to SME’s with ​the potential to create new jobs, expand capacity, or develop new products or services in Kent. ​Applications are assessed monthly, offering regular opportunities to access this valuable ​funding source.

Eligible Purchases:

•Land purchase & buildings purchase, land - ​development/works, buildings - construction/improvement

•Related professional fees, fixtures & fittings

•Equipment & machinery

• Up to 12 months Commercial Lease costs

•Wage / employment costs for new permanent employees

•Intangible assets acquired from third parties by the ​transfer of technology or knowledge

First Impressions brings a structured, analytical approach to accelerate growth, enhance your ​market position, and guide you toward long-term success. By collaborating with First ​Impressions, you gain a trusted partner dedicated to unlocking your business’s potential.

Examples of Successful SME Funding

• NOMS (National Offender Management Service) £8,400,000 (£8.4m) contract secured for ​delivery of ‘through-the-gate’ employment and employability support to offenders from ​various prisons via Probation Trusts over a 5-year period, across 5 counties
• Secured £8,500 for a client to install LED lighting throughout their premises, as part of a ​£21,250 project
• £26,000 was granted for a food-based business to help them expand into another ​geographical area
• £29,353 was approved to help an electrical business to increase its staff ​complement
  

Coffee Roasting Company Receives £112K

“ Having no experience previously of any commercial grant funding or R&D Tax Credit Claims, ​Tracey approached me with a proposition to discuss my future plans for the business and also ​my CiC. Both businesses have successfully attracted funding within a few months and I also ​received a Capital Allowance rebate from HMRC. Tracey is part of my extended management ​team and any future developments or capital expenditures are always thoroughly discussed ​with her prior to decisions being finalised. As an ongoing partner to our growing suite of ​companies, Tracey has added valuable experience and advice resulting in a premium service ​and a credit to our bank balance consistently“

“Tracey was instrumental in ​advising and securing due ​R&D payments for Angle ​Studios that we were unaware ​of. Tracey is always readily ​available and happy to offer ​advice and her time. You’re in ​safe hands with Tracey. The ​one thing that first struck me ​with Tracey is, she always ​keeps you informed and does ​what she says she’s going to ​do, at the same time ​explaining every step of the ​way”

Ryan Grist, Director

Angle Studios

“I have worked with Tracey ​for the past 3 years on a ​number of projects and have ​found her to be consistently ​professional. She has been ​very effective in achieving ​positive outcomes for my ​clients and is always friendly ​and enthusiastic.

Tracey has a wide amount of ​experience in helping ​Businesses grow and helping ​attract funding opportunities ​where appropriate”

Jim Jordan, Director

Jim Jordan Consultancy

“Having known Tracey since ​early 2015 I’m still surprised by ​her continued delivery of ​contemporary ideas and ​solutions to various problems my ​business has faced. Managing ​remote colleagues is never easy ​and where different cultures are ​concerned a great level of ​cultural awareness is required; ​Tracey has been able to cross ​the “Divide” on numerous ​occasions and I find her ​assistance both proactive and ​forward thinking”

Tim Mitchell, Director

Scirid Ltd

“I first met Tracey McRobert in February 2017 where I was running an event in funding for ​growth in Reigate, Surrey

I was immediately impressed with her presentation skills and wealth of knowledge.

Since then we have run similar events together across West Sussex, the venues often provided ​Tracey with logistical challenges but she was always there to present , even if it meant leaving ​home at an unearthly hour.

One of Tracey’s finest attributes is that she cares, and this comes across when she is having ​one to one consultations’ with our clients.

We will definitely be working together in the future.”

Chris Lyle, Business Growth Enabler NatWest