Other available funding

Recruitment Support

A critical part of your business is the people you employ. Knowsley Works in conjunction with JobCentre Plus can provide funding and support for the recruitment of the right person for the right job.

The North West Fund

The North West Fund is a £185m evergreen investment fund, providing debt and equity funding from £50,000 - £2 million to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in, or relocating to, the North West of England.

We provide flexible funding options through six sub funds tailored to different business stages and sectors (Venture Capital, Development Capital, Business Loans, Biomedical, Environmental and Energy & Digital and Creative).

Many entrepreneurs are already growing their businesses in partnership with The North West Fund. To find out if your business is eligible please read our online eligibility checklist. Alternatively, for further information on the application process, to watch testimonial videos from previous successful applicants or to sign up to our newsletter please visit The North West Fund.

Enterprise Capital Funds

Enterprise Capital Funds address a market weakness in the provision of equity finance to SMEs by using Government funding alongside private sector investment to establish funds that operate within the ‘equity gap’. An equity gap arises where businesses with viable investment propositions are unable to attract investment from informal investors or venture capitalists. In bridging this gap, ECFs aim to alleviate what would otherwise present a significant barrier to enterprise and to productivity growth. 10 such funds have been launched since 2006.

Supporting Tourism Enterprise Programme

The Mersey Partnership has secured funding from Europe and the North West Regional Development Agency to enable us to continue to assist businesses within the Visitor Economy.

Business interested in accessing the STEP programme should contact Alison Riley by e-mail alison.riley@knowsley.gov.uk or on telephone number 0151 443 2369 to discuss eligibility. In order for us to assist any business we have to register businesses and capture some basic information which will allow us to track their progress over the next three years. The information provided is data protected and will only be used by KMBC and TMP as evidence of business assistance – it will not be shared with any third parties. Information re turnover etc is aggregated and is not used to identify an individual business.

Through the STEP programme businesses can access a range of support and skills development. These initiatives include Action for Tourism for Business Leaders, HR Toolkit workshops and Upselling & Service Recovery workshops.  

The Mersey Partnership Tourim Extranet

Small Business Rates Relief

Rateable values are reviewed every five years as part of a revaluation exercise. The last revaluation took place on 1 April 2010. As a result, of that revaluation the small business rate relief thresholds were increased.

In England small businesses are generally entitled to small business rate relief if they only occupy one property and the rateable value of their premises is less than £18,000 (£25,500 in London). Additional properties with rateable values below £2,600 are disregarded when considering applications for small business rate relief. However, the rateable values for such properties are included in determining whether the threshold criterion has been met. These rateable value levels for relief are for 2010-11 onwards. Lower levels (£15,000, £21,500 and £2,200) applied between April 2005 and March 2010.

• In small business rate relief the amount of relief depends on the rateable value
• If the rateable value of the property is less than £6,000, the rates are calculated using the small business multiplier, which for 2010-11 is 40.7 pence, and reduced by 50 per cent
• If the rateable value is from £6,000 to £11,999, the reduction decreases on a sliding scale of 1 per cent for every £120. For example, if the rateable value is £9,000, the rates are reduced by 25 per cent
• If the rateable value is from £12,000 to £17,999 (£24,499 in London), rates are also calculated using the small business multiplier. For 2010-11, the small business multiplier is 40.7 pence (instead of the standard 41.4 pence)
• Note that previously, you had to reapply for small business rate relief at the start of each valuation period. You no longer have to do this.
• If you become ineligible for the relief, you must notify your billing authority
• If the rateable value of your business premises increased as a result at revaluation, your billing authority will adjust the relief accordingl

Impact of the 2010 Budget on Small Business Rate Relief

Between 1 October 2010 and 30 September 2011, eligible ratepayers will receive small business rate relief at 100 per cent on properties up to £6,000 (rather than 50 per cent), and a tapering relief from 100 per cent to 0 per cent for properties up to £12,000 in rateable value for that period.

There are no other adjustments to the scheme and the eligibility criteria will remain the same. Your local billing authority will contact you about how this may affect you, but you should continue to pay your rates as per the bill you have received until a new bill reflecting the change is issued.

Contact 0151 443 4089 or email business.rates@knowsley.gov.uk for more information.