As the UKSPF Small Business Grant Scheme opens for applications, Shropshire-based businesswoman Beth Heath of Quarry Kitchens and Shropshire Ice Cream Ltd, revealed how a grant helped her business.

“We had taken over the Quarry Café and wanted to transform it into a vibrant space that celebrated local food and drink," Ms Heath explained. "We’ve used the grant to renovate the café by recladding and replacing the walls. We’ve also been able to employ a number of local people. None of this would have been possible without the grant.”

This grant scheme offers grants of between £2,000 and £10,000.

Gary Spence, Shropshire Council’s external funding and technical lead officer in the business growth and investment team, said: “This grant continues to be popular. On each of the previous occasions we have invited applications we’ve been forced to close the process within a week because of the overwhelming response.

“We’d also like to remind potential applicants to check the criteria both in terms of their eligibility, and what can – and cannot – be funded before applying.”

Businesses from one to 49 employees can apply for a grant if their business is physically located in the Shropshire Council local authority area.

Details about how to apply and the EOI form can be found at shropshire.gov.uk.