location, relocation, expansion, portal

There are a number of financial assistance and grants schemes available for businesses looking to invest in, expand or grow in the Rotherham area.

Rotherham is a Government tier 2 assisted area and, through this, attracts one of the main grants available in the UK - the Grant for Business Investment (GBI). In addition, funding for Research & Development, training and other activities is also available.

Financial Assistance/Grants

Grant for Business Investment (GBI)
Companies of all sizes, partnerships and sole traders may be eligible for a Grant for Business Investment (GBI). Most manufacturing businesses are eligible to apply for a grant, as are businesses in service industries that supply a national, rather than local, market.

Assistance may be provided to:

• Expand, modernise or reorganise an existing business.
• Upgrade a business by introducing technological or other innovative improvements into the business process.
• Enable a business to take the step from development to production.

Research & Development
Technological innovation is essential for many businesses to improve productivity and competitiveness, and to stimulate business growth. R&D grants funded by the UK government and the European Commission can be accessed in Rotherham, variously available to individuals, SMEs and large companies.

Loans

The South Yorkshire Investment Fund offers seedcorn finance, business loans, and equity linked investments to companies in the South Yorkshire area. Additional funding and soft loans can also be accessed through UK Steel Enterprise.

Incentives, Tax and Others

Rotherham can offer 100% capital allowances to companies locating in the former Dearne Valley Enterprise Zone, until 2013. There are also grants and assistance available to retailers opening up in the town centre.

Rotherham is able to offer tax incentives for eligible R&D spend, as well as renovation of property under the Business Premises Renovation Allowance scheme. In addition to this, schemes such as Innovation Vouchers and various other grants and subsidies make Rotherham very attractive for low cost investment and growth.

Venture & Equity Capital

Rotherham has access to the usual commercial equity finance routes, but also offers a number of localised equity and loan financing options specific to the area.

South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF) offers seedcorn finance, business loans and equity-linked investments from £15,000 to £2.5 million, for businesses in or locating to South Yorkshire.

The Coalfields Funds offer up to £33m of commercial equity funding to new and existing SME`s, with the aim of supporting the growth of businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship in England`s former coalfield regions. See the Coalfields Funds' website for further details.

YFM Group provides private equity and venture capital to UK SMEs. They invest up to £8 million annually, in fast growing businesses at all stages of their development and across all sectors. 

UK Steel Enterprise Ltd (UKSE), subsidiary of Corus (Tata Steel Group), will consider investments up to £750,000 for developing businesses in South Yorkshire.

Recruitment Support

Organisations that set up in Rotherham have the option of an HR Business Consultant to assist with recruitment and development support - a fully funded service to link your company to partners within the region.

There are a number of further education and training colleges as well as private training and development organisations, with a wide range of courses that can be tailored to meet the needs of employers. Rotherham is well situated with a number of universities in close proximity, to draw upon for research and development.

As well as the National Scheme skills programme, Train to Gain, the South Yorkshire region is unique in having access to the Train to Gain Enhancement Fund for NVQ Level 3 skills, for eligible companies.

Jobcentre Plus offers a full range of services to businesses, including a free vacancy advertising service, pre-screening and sifting, as well as assistance for those facing redundancy.

Business Accommodation Assistance

RiDO can provide you with a range of property options from across the borough and further afield, through our partner agencies. Our comprehensive database allows us to customise options to suite your organisation, with existing facilities ranging from industrial warehouse to food production, office, hybrid and more…

Additionally, Rotherham offers land to lease and purchase, both through developer-linked design and build options and also self build freehold routes.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We have close links with local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and other networks, and can facilitate partnership working and affiliations, if required.