Help for Businesses
NB This page is no longer kept up to date. Please check first before using any information from the page.
There is much help, advice and support available for those starting a business or running an existing business on Romney Marsh.
The following information, current as at October 2015, has been supplied by Shepway District Council's Economic Development Team.
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Further Information
If you would like further information after reading this page, then Dave Ilsley at Shepway District Council will be pleased to help. 
email 
01303 853474
Funding
Marsh Million Business Boost Loan Scheme
- Interest free loans repayable over 5 years
- £2,500 to £50,000
- Up to 50 employees
- Support available from Enterprise First (see below)
Find out more
Shepway District Council Apprenticeship Grants
- Up to £1,500 per apprentice – varies by sector and location
- Maximum 3 apprentices per business
Find out more
Shepway District Council Discretionary Rate Relief
- A business in a priority sector and located in a key employment area will be eligible for up to 100% business rate relief (capped at £40,000)
- A business in a priority sector or located in a key employment area will be eligible for up to 50% relief (capped at £20,000)
- A business not in a priority sector or located in a key employment area may still be eligible for rate relief, if it can demonstrate substantial job creation in 2015/16(capped at £40,000)
Find out more
Kent Downs & Marshes LEADER
- Starting October 2015
- Grants expected to be up to £50,000
Contact Huw Jarvis email 03000 417104
Business Support and Advice
Enterprise First
- Funded by Shepway District Council
- 1:1 sessions for pre-starts and more established businesses
- supports applications under the Marsh Million Loan Scheme
Find out more
Contact Julie Waller email 07523 086638
Visit Kent Tourism Business Advisory Scheme
- All tourism businesses are eligible for a free advice visit
- Shepway District Council contributes to the costs of the service and is keen local tourism businesses to take it up
Contact Peter Birnie email 07939 687555
Pro-actions Business Briefings
- Recently started in Shepway
- Free sessions on topics including:
Marketing
Business Planning
Time management
Profit and cash
Contact Alan Shilling email 03333 440517 /07766 442232
Find out more
Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce
- Professional advice, guidance and information for new start-ups and established businesses looking to grow
- Business briefings and other events
Contact Richard Lavender email 01233 503838
Find out more
Kent County Council
- Advice on a wide range of funding and other support
Find out more
“Finance and support for your business”
Central government search engine to identify government-backed support and finance for business, including:
- business support e.g. mentoring, consultancy
- funding for small and medium-sized businesses and start-ups
Find out more
Romney Marsh Partnership
Set up in 2012 to deliver The Romney Marsh Socio-Economic Plan - a strategy to support the area's economy over the next decade.
The Romney Marsh Partnership aims to address future challenges and capitalise upon the opportunities so that Romney Marsh becomes an even better place to live, work and visit. It will do this in four ways:
- by highlighting some of the area’s significant economic and social challenges
- by bringing people together and making the most of the excellent projects already being delivered on Romney Marsh
- by involving local people and giving them more of a stake in their local community and local economy
- by providing a framework and a strategy to bring new funding into the area through new projects and new approaches,
Contact Romney Marsh Partnership Co-ordinator, Catherine Igoe email 01303 853536 / 07711 188310
