Nottingham: What the Council's Business Grants Delivered, and What to Do Now They Are Closed
Nottingham City Council's three UKSPF business grants are now closed. Here is what they funded, and where independents can look next.
Nottingham has one of the liveliest independent scenes in ZRKEE's seven areas, with cafés, barbers, makers and live-music venues across the city. Between November 2023 and early 2025 the city council ran three small-business grants, and it is useful to know what they delivered.
Three grants, now closed
The council's business support grants page says that as of 19 February 2025 all three grants were fully committed and closed to new applications and expressions of interest.
What they funded
- Business Growth Grant: £1,000 to £10,000, covering up to 50% of project cost, linked to creating jobs. The council reports 44 awards totalling £337,559, creating 151 jobs.
- Shop Front Improvement and Vacant Premises Grant: up to £5,000 for shop fronts and £10,000 for vacant premises, at up to 50% of cost. The council reports 33 awards totalling £186,046.
- Business Decarbonisation Grant: £500 to £5,000 for energy-saving measures in eligible retail areas. The council reports 25 awards totalling £76,194.
What to do now
Check Nottingham City Council's business support pages for any new funding rounds before you plan a project around a grant. Do not assume the earlier schemes will reopen.
Shop local, find local
ZRKEE lists 29 verified independent businesses in Nottingham, so you can find out who is trading near you.
General information only. Grant terms change, so check the council's page.