The Business Development Programme provides comprehensive business support to existing small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) area. The programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and runs from September 2012 until May 2015. 

Financial assistance provided by  the Business Development Programme: 

A grant award between £10,000 and £15,000 is available to existing businesses against eligible project costs.

To qualify for consideration, businesses must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• be profit-seeking and have been trading for 6 months or more
• be  an existing SME, ie: have between 1-249 employees, have an annual turnover less than £42m, have a balance sheet less than £36m, be less than 25% owned by another company or combination of other companies
• have a current business plan if less than 2 years old
• have a viable project that qualifies for the minimum grant of £10,000
• create new jobs/safeguard existing jobs as a direct result of the project’s implementation
• be based in or relocating to the GBSLEP area*
• be in one of the eligible business sectors*

To  establish if your business activity and anticipated project costs are eligible, contact your local respective GBSLEP area representative. Details are overleaf. 

Eligible revenue costs include: 

• Relocation to new premises
• Difference in rent and rates associated with moving to new premises
• Business stationery as part of new premises
• Expansion of existing premises
• Rent and rates associated with moving to new premises
• Installation (heating, lighting, cabling)
• Signage
• Marketing and branding 
• Promotional Material
• Maximum of £1500 for business advisor support to assist with completing the application form if required. 

The grant is against eligible costs subject to satisfying criteria and approval by an awarding panel. The grant is fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund. 

Project Partners

Birmingham City Council manages and delivers the programme with the GBSLEP partners Birmingham Chamber of Commerce group, Cannock Chase District Council, east Staffordshire Borough Council, Lichfield District Council, north Worcestershire economic Development (representing Bromsgrove District Council, Redditch Borough Council and Wyre

Forest District Council), Solihull metropolitan Borough Council and Tamworth Borough Council.

GBSLEP area partners:

Birmingham Chamber

0121 607 1919

m.canny@birmingham-chamber.com 

Cannock Chase District Council

01543 464219

BDP@cannockchasedc.gov.uk 

East Staffordshire Borough Council

01283 508625

economic.regeneration@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
 

Lichfield District Council and Tamworth Borough Council

01827 709382

business@tamworth.gov.uk
 

North Worcester  (Bromsgrove DC, Redditch BC & Wyre Forest DC)

0845 601 5953

info@nwedr.org.uk 

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

0121 704 6120

iwoods@solihull.gov.uk

You can ask for a copy of this leaflet in larger print, another format or another language. We aim to supply what you need within ten working days.

If you have hearing difficulties please contact us via RNID Typetalk 18001 0121 303 4874 or Relay Assist 08702 409598

Further details of this programme can be obtained from: www.birmingham.gov.uk/bdp