Shropshire business grants deliver jobs, growth and new investment
More than £600,000 of funding has been invested by small firms across the country
More than £600,000 has been invested by Shropshire businesses as part of a grant scheme to support small firms.
Shropshire Council's Small Equipment Grant initiative has made awards totalling more than £276,000 during its 2025/26 run which has attracted a further £344,828 of private-sector investment through businesses' own contributions towards projects.
Companies taking part in the initiative have reported the creation of 18 jobs, 19 new products and 17 new services while projects have also brought 2,938 sq ft of commercial space back into use.
The scheme, run by the council’s Invest in Shropshire arm, offers grants of between £2,000 and £10,000 to businesses employing up to 49 people.
Money could be used for purchasing new equipment, improving premises to create jobs or develop new products, processes or services, with applicants contributing at least 50 per cent towards the overall cost of their projects.
Shropshire Council received 179 expressions of interest during 2025/26 which it said exceeded the number of grants available.
Among the businesses to have benefited is Shropshire Design in Albrighton which used a £10,000 grant to help develop The Scent Room, a home-fragrance shop in the former Barclays Bank.
The project has brought a long-disused storefront back into public use, 16 years after the branch closed. Shropshire Design has also recruited a local apprentice and plans to recruit two more members of staff.
Co-founder Peter Snowdon said: "When we took on the old bank, we could see the potential in a building that had stood unused for so long. Opening the doors of the storefront again is a particularly special moment.
"We hope it gives people another reason to come into Albrighton, explore the village and support its independent businesses."
Matt Potts, service manager for economy, funding and skills at Shropshire Council, added: "A grant of just a few thousand pounds can help unlock jobs, new products or the investment a small business needs to take its next step.
"It can give a business the confidence to be ambitious, whether by buying equipment, improving its premises, taking on new staff or developing something new.
"This funding has helped our businesses become stronger and more forward-looking, making an important contribution to Shropshire's economic growth and stability."
Cllr Alex Wagner, deputy leader and cabinet member for transport and economic Growth, said: "Shropshire's businesses have shown exactly what they can do when you give them the right support.
"But businesses in rural areas need a fair opportunity to access funding if we want that progress to continue. We will keep making the case for Shropshire to receive its fair share of future investment.
"Relatively small amounts of funding can unlock real economic activity, and we want more Shropshire businesses to have that opportunity."
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