Forest of Dean District Council supporting start-up businesses through 2021

The Forest of Dean District Council has been inviting new start-up businesses and social enterprises to apply for start-up grants of up to £1,000, with five application rounds throughout 2021, distributing more than £10,000 and supporting 11 local private businesses and social enterprises so far this year.

Cabinet Member for Economy, Cllr Bernie O’Neill, said,

“Starting a new business at any point can be tough, but with the economic uncertainty of the past two years that has been especially true. 

“We want to help nurture new, local and sustainable businesses in our district, and it has been a delight to provide grants to these exciting start-ups, giving them a helping hand as they establish themselves into a successful Forest of Dean business.

“We have now successfully allocated this year’s budget for grants, but we are planning to run the scheme again from April next year and we encourage new business owners or social enterprise founders to keep an eye on our communication channels for future funding opportunities.”

Three recipients of the start-up grants have shared their thoughts about the scheme and provided an update for their business as the end of 2021 approaches.

Case study: Café on the Hill, Tutshill

Café on the Hill is a café and bar lounge in Tutshill that opened in August 2021. The café welcomes families during the day and has themed evenings with live music and international cuisine. The café currently employs four staff members.

Natalie Morgan, owner of Café on the Hill, said,

“Since we opened in August, the local community has been amazing and have made us feel very welcome in Tutshill. We are also very grateful to the District Council for providing a grant which will help us expand and improve our seating areas as we continue to grow.”

Case study: Woodside Distillery, Sling

Woodside Distillery is a gin distillery located in Cinderford that opened in December 2020. Woodside Distillery was started from an idea spawned in lockdown to make a gin still and become the Forest of Dean’s first gin distillery.

Jason Morgan, owner of Woodside Distillery, said,

“The continued advice and support that the Council has provided since we first started has been invaluable. The grant helped us get up and running through the uncertainty of the winter lockdown and since then it has been non-stop as Woodside has moved from a start-up to scale up. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far, especially as we are now expanding to larger premises following increased demand, where we can continue to develop new and exciting products.”

Case study: Grazing Management

Grazing Management is a conservation grazing business that launched in 2021. It will use traditional breed cattle, pigs and sheep as a way of sustainably managing key nature sites in the Forest of Dean, with plans to expand nationally.

Alex and Emily Crawley, owners of Grazing Management, said,

“We are really excited to get started and help to provide sustainable solutions to the conservation of the unique landscapes that make up the Forest of Dean. The start-up grant from the District Council is helping us get up and running and will be supporting the purchase of new cattle. We’ve also been able to collaborate with a number of groups across the forest who are all working to improve the environment and help local businesses.”

Grant funding could be made to support a variety of activities, including research and development, installing clean technologies and renewable energy installations, expanding and improving premises, and equipment, product or service launches.

To find out more about the Start-up Grants and other funding options available through Forest of Dean District Council: https://fdean.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/business-support-and-advice/finance-and-funding/