Over £50,000 available for Central Bedfordshire new businesses – register now for free support and advice

If you are a new business, or thinking of starting one up, then you could get your hands on a £300-£3,000 grant, free 1-2-1 advice from a business advisor and training to help your venture be a success.
Ad Feature by Wenta
Published 19th Jan 2024, 13:35 BST
This could be just what you need to help you start your own business or boost your new venture. Supplied pictureThis could be just what you need to help you start your own business or boost your new venture. Supplied picture
This could be just what you need to help you start your own business or boost your new venture. Supplied picture

All this and more is available through the Central Start Programme – a scheme which includes up to £55,000 of Government money available for this region which must be given out to new businesses by the end of March.

What’s the catch? There isn’t one!

Central Bedfordshire Council successfully bid for the money from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity and Rural Shared Prosperity initiatives.

Free advice and cash grants on offer for Central Beds start-ups. Supplied pictureFree advice and cash grants on offer for Central Beds start-ups. Supplied picture
Free advice and cash grants on offer for Central Beds start-ups. Supplied picture

The aim is to boost business and the economy in the area. The council turned to Wenta – a not-for-profit organisation with over 40 years’ experience helping new businesses to get up and running through training, advice and cash support.

Am I eligible?

If you’re a new business less than three years old, or you have a business idea with a basic business plan and some financial projections then yes, you are.

Georgina Wark, Head of Digital, Communication & Marketing at Wenta, says they know that starting a new business can be a daunting and lonely experience – and that’s why they are here.

Sign up now for sign up for free advice, support and cash grants. Supplied pictureSign up now for sign up for free advice, support and cash grants. Supplied picture
Sign up now for sign up for free advice, support and cash grants. Supplied picture

“Our message is to anybody, whatever their business is, be it an idea or a side-hustle, full or part-time, come and talk to us because we can take it from there,” she said.

The business advisors at Wenta are all experienced at setting up and running their own ventures – and Georgina says there is nothing they’ve not experienced.

“These guys have seen it all,” she said. “They are all independent people and they have all been through setting up and running their own businesses and they understand the issues and pressures.”

The scheme will give start-ups the chance to sense-check their ideas – will it be a success and be sustainable? And, thanks to free training as well, everyone who successfully applies to the scheme will receive 12 hours of free 1-2-1 advice and training and will be able to apply for a grant of between £300 and £3,000.

All you need to do is visit the website to find out more and check the criteria and then register and book a free 1-2-1 appointment. You will need a basic business plan and some financial projections.

“We just need to talk to you about your business idea, you don’t need to worry about the rest, that’s what we’re here for,” said Georgina.

Apply now

Applicants must be over 18 and the business must be a legitimate one and be deemed suitable for public support by Bedfordshire Council. Once you’ve registered and booked your 1-2-1 session via the website below your advisor will talk you through everything you need to know.

Register your interest now

Find out more here and book your free 1-2-1 session here