Malvern Hills Growth Fund FAQs
Explore the Frequently Asked Questions below to find quick answers to common questions about the Malvern Hills Growth Fund.
The Malvern Hills Growth Fund provides grant funding to support business growth within Malvern Hills District. The Fund is designed to help businesses invest in projects that lead to expansion, improved productivity, and economic impact, such as job creation, increased turnover, or additional visitor numbers. It is funded and run by Malvern Hills District Council.
Applications are welcomed from:
- Micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs)
- Community Interest Companies
- Social enterprises
- Commercially active not‑for‑profit organisations
Applicants must be based within Malvern Hills District and able to clearly demonstrate how the proposed project will support business growth.
Grant awards are available as follows:
- Existing businesses: £500 to £15,000
- Start‑up businesses: £500 to £2,000
All grants require a minimum of 50% match funding, which must be provided by the applicant.
For the purposes of the Fund, a start‑up business is one that has:
- Not yet started trading, or
- Been trading for less than 12 months, and
- Is operating as a new legal entity
Applicants must have a business plan in place and have completed appropriate start‑up training.
Yes, you may demonstrate equivalent knowledge to formal start‑up training through alternative training or relevant qualifying experience. However, general business experience alone is not sufficient unless it involves the ownership or management of a start‑up business within the last 10 years that operated for a minimum of two years.
If your business has been operating for more than one year, and the diversification is being delivered through the same legal entity under which you already trade, it will be treated as an existing business, even if the activity itself is new.
Yes, refurbished or second‑hand equipment may be eligible where it:
- Is fit for purpose and in good working condition
- Comes with a warranty or guarantee
- Represents good value for money
Evidence may be required to demonstrate condition, warranty, and pricing.
No. Some businesses serve customers outside Malvern Hills, which is acceptable. To be eligible, the business must be based and operating at, or from, an address within Malvern Hills, and where the items for which funding is sought must normally be kept.
Yes, provided your main trading address and operations are based within Malvern Hills District.
The Fund is open to micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises based in Malvern Hills, including Community Interest Companies, social enterprises, and commercially active not‑for‑profit organisations.
Parish Councils are not eligible to apply under the Fund rules. Village halls may be eligible where their governance and operating model meet the Fund’s criteria, and provided they are commercially active. If you represent a Village Hall Management Committee considering applying, please Contact Us to discuss your project idea first.
Marketing, promotional, and branding activity is not eligible for funding for established businesses (different rules apply for start-ups), including:
- Customer‑facing websites
- SEO and digital marketing campaigns
- Brand development and promotional activity
However, some digital or technology‑based investments may be eligible where they directly support business growth, such as:
- CRM systems that improve customer management or service delivery
- Digital systems that improve productivity, efficiency, or automation
- AI tools used for internal analysis, operations, or decision‑making
Eligibility is determined by the purpose and function of the activity.
Projects must align with the Growth Fund’s purpose of supporting business and commercial growth and deliver clear, measurable outcomes, such as increased turnover, job creation, or increased visitor numbers. General decoration or furniture costs are unlikely to be eligible unless you can clearly demonstrate how they directly contribute to these outcomes.
Typically, businesses may only submit one application at a time. Repeat or multiple applications may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis, subject to the availability of funds and the merits of each project.
Where more than one application is approved, the total grant funding awarded to a single business will be capped at:
- £15,000 for existing businesses, or
- £2,000 for start‑up businesses
These limits apply across all approved projects, not per application.
Projects are normally required to be completed by 31 January 2027. However, where there is a clear and evidenced reason why additional time is needed, some flexibility may be considered. Any extension must be justified in advance and formally agreed, and is assessed on a case‑by‑case basis.
Yes. While the Fund excludes projects that enhance farm productive capacity, this exclusion applies only where the project is delivered by a farm or a business directly engaged in primary agricultural production.
It does not apply to businesses that supply goods or services to the agricultural sector, provided they are not themselves carrying out agricultural production associated with the project.
The Malvern Hills Growth Fund has a limited budget. In future funding rounds, priority may be given to businesses or organisations that have not previously received support.
Decisions on repeat applications will be made each year and will depend on factors such as demand for the Fund and available funding.
Yes. The Fund is competitive, and not all applications can be supported. All applications are assessed against eligibility criteria, project quality, impact, and value for money.
The Fund operates on a rolling basis, subject to funding availability. Submitting a complete and well‑evidenced application will help avoid delays and increase your chances of a successful assessment.
The application should be completed by someone with authority to act on behalf of the business or organisation, usually a director or senior officer. An authorised agent may complete the form if they have formal permission to do so. The grant agreement itself must normally be signed by a director or other authorised signatory.
The maximum grant available is £15,000 for existing businesses and £2,000 for start‑ups, with a minimum of 50% match funding required. Projects may exceed these amounts, including projects over £30,000, provided the grant does not exceed 50% of eligible costs and remains within the Growth Fund limits.
For higher‑value projects, you must submit quotes covering the full project cost, demonstrate that you have the financial means to fund your share, and follow appropriate procurement procedures. If approved, you will be required at claim stage to provide invoices and evidence of payment for the total project cost. Where possible, identifying a clear, distinct element of the project for funding may simplify the process.
Completed applications are normally assessed, and a decision communicated, within approximately six weeks of submission. Timescales may vary depending on application volumes, complexity, and completeness of the application form.
No. The Fund cannot support the reimbursement of goods, services, or works that are purchased, ordered, or committed to before a formal grant offer letter is issued. Any expenditure incurred prior to this date will be ineligible.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate value for money. This normally includes:
- Obtaining multiple quotations where possible (normally 3 quotes for items between £5,001 and £50,000)
- Providing justification for supplier selection
Wherever possible, provide three comparable quotes to demonstrate value for money. If this is not possible, you must clearly explain why the supplier or item is unique and essential. Higher‑cost options must be justified, as appraisers may otherwise recommend funding the lowest‑cost alternative.
Yes, but applicants must ensure that:
- Planning permission is in place before any grant‑funded works begin, and
- All relevant statutory approvals are obtained where applicable
Funding cannot be released until the necessary permissions are secured. Please Contact Us before submitting your application.
If your application includes building works that do not require planning permission, you may be asked to evidence that you have received official advice to that effect.
Yes. Previous trading activity overseas does not exclude you from applying, provided that the proposed business and project are now based in Malvern Hills District and meet the Fund’s eligibility requirements.
Where the business is operating under a new legal entity, it would normally be treated as a start‑up business for the purposes of the Fund. In these circumstances, eligible applicants may apply for grant funding of between £500 and £2,000.
Business coaching may be considered eligible where it forms part of a clearly defined project for an individual business. The coaching must have defined outcomes and timescales, and demonstrate a clear link to growth‑focused investment and tangible business outcomes.
Applications are not assessed on writing quality, spelling, or presentation. What matters is that the information and explanations are clear and complete. Applicants should use the Application Guidance, and officers can provide general advice but cannot complete the application on your behalf. Where appropriate, additional support may be offered to help you progress your application.
You must notify us by email as soon as any changes arise. Early communication allows us to assess the impact of the change and advise on the appropriate next steps. It is essential that all changes are confirmed in writing, regardless of the stage your project has reached.
Once submitted:
- Your application will be checked for completeness
- It will be assessed against the Fund criteria
- You may be contacted for clarification or further information
- A decision will be communicated once assessment is complete
Submitting an application does not guarantee funding.
You must not start your project until both the Minimal Financial Assistance (if applicable) and the Grant Funding Agreement have been fully signed. These will be issued once the assessment is completed. Once both agreements are signed, you will receive written confirmation that you can begin work.
No. You cannot apply to both the Malvern Hills Growth Fund and Worcestershire County Council (WCC) business grant schemes for the same project or activity.
Applicants must choose the single grant programme that is most appropriate for their proposed investment. You should carefully review the eligibility criteria, priorities, and funding levels of each scheme before deciding which to apply for.
However, you may apply to different schemes for separate projects, provided that:
- The projects are clearly distinct;
- There is no overlap in the costs or activities being funded; and
- You can demonstrate a clear need for public funding for more than one project, that both projects are necessary to support business growth, and that you have the capacity to deliver them within a reasonable timeframe and achieve the proposed outcomes.
If you are unsure which scheme is most suitable, we recommend contacting the Worcestershire Growth Hub before submitting an application.
Full details, application guidance, and the online application form can be found at: www.malvernhills.gov.uk/growth.
You can Contact Us to discuss your project.