Find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Torbay Enterprise Fund.
We have collated some frequently asked questions about the Torbay Enterprise Fund, and the two grants available. These are based on questions that we received during the first round of applications.
Please read these through before completing your application as they contain lots of useful information.
After you have read through the information below, if you have any further questions about the grants or the application process, then please contact our Economy Team by emailing economyteam@torbay.gov.uk.
No. Each grant application will be assessed on its own merits as the Torbay Enterprise Grant Fund is a competitive process, and the grant funding is limited. Additionally, your application may be part funded if some, but not all, of your application and investment priorities are eligible.
There will be some instances where business owners will be eligible to apply for both the retail and the start-up grant, and in these cases, there are no restrictions. Regarding the start-up OR retail grant, a business can only be successful a maximum of once.
A unique taxpayer reference (UTR) number is given out to businesses that register for self-assessment tax returns or organisations that register as a limited company. This ten-digit code is needed and used by both the organisation in question and by HMRC, as it’s an essential element in preventing errors. You will be able to find your UTR number on your correspondence from HMRC.
No this is not an eligible cost. Costs must be fundamental start-up costs, not ‘Business as Usual’ and could include licensing and permits, legal and administrative fees, equipment purchases, initial inventory, office space rental, website development, and initial marketing and advertising campaigns.
If you’re still unsure, please contact us for clarification. Please note that ongoing costs such a subscriptions or insurance costs will be funded for a fixed term amount only.
Potentially – It would depend on what the training is for. The training should not be a core element of your business. For example, if you a looking to start up a dog grooming business but wanted to use the grant to fund a dog grooming course to acquire the basic skills, this would not be eligible. However, if you wanted to use the money to invest in an accounting software package and needed the additional training to be able to use this effectively, that would be eligible.
We will assess this on a case-by-case basis.
This is not eligible expenditure. We cannot reimburse businesses for retrospective costs or payments.
No, this isn’t an essential requirement, although we do encourage all businesses to take advantage of our business support offer, as all Torbay enterprises are eligible to receive this, and it may help strengthen your position for investment.
In the interest of fairness, everybody that applies for either the start-up grant or the retail grant needs to have a business plan and basic cash flow. These documents will play an important part of how your application will be assessed and won’t be approved unless they are submitted.
If you need support to create either of these documents, please email economyteam@torbay.gov.uk and we can offer you an impartial and free business support session.
Your application will be assessed by at least two officers at Torbay Council, and all the information you provide will be considered as part of the process, particularly your business plan and cash flow. The more information you provide, the better.
Once you submit your application and additional documentation, you will receive an email to confirm receipt within 10 working days and an email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful within 20 working days (with feedback if necessary). If we need to ask you any questions, we’ll be in touch.
Yes, if there is funding available, and your original submission has been revised based on the feedback you received on your original submission
We can only accept applications from businesses who have registered on or after the 1st April 2025. The purpose of the grant is to help budding entrepreneurs get off the ground and create new business outcomes. By using the parameters of a new financial year, it ensures that new businesses are truly created. If you have an existing UTR number from a previous business, this may be acceptable, but evidence will be required to confirm non-trading status.
In this instance applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. It may be the case that you are required to provide additional information or evidence to prove that your business is ‘new’. For example, a previous year’s tax returns.
Yes. The only stipulation in regards to where your business is, is that it must be in Torquay, Paignton or Brixham (TQ1 to TQ5). This also applies to your home address.
Once a Grant Funding Agreement has been drafted and signed by both the grant recipient and the Local Authority, businesses can expect to receive their grant funding within 30 days. Funds will be transferred into Business Bank Accounts only (not personal accounts or cash).
No. The grant is for ‘permanent’ physical, external improvements to retail premises only. These improvements could be painting, signage, lighting etc., but revenue costs such as wages or utilities are not eligible.
The map for eligible areas can be found on Periscope.
But for clarity, eligible areas include:
Torquay: Union Street (from GPO roundabout to Memorial Gardens), Fleet Street, The Strand, Market Street, Castle Circus and some adjacent areas.
Paignton: Torbay Road, Parkside Road, Victoria Street, Hyde Road, majority of Winner Street, Palace Avenue, Gerston Road and some adjacent areas.
Brixham: Middle Street, Fore Street, The Quay, The Strand, and some adjacent areas
If you’re not sure, please email economyteam@torbay.gov.uk for confirmation.
Torbay Council did consider the inclusion of other district centres across the Bay but have focused on the town centres from the desire to make a difference by clustering the investment as much as possible. By concentrating the investment into the town centres, the outcomes are likely to be more impactful.
Many businesses that operate on the high street can be classed as retail including shops, cafes, restaurants, beauty salons and others. Other businesses that can be based on high streets however are not generally considered retail including recruitment agencies or estate agencies, among others.
Please note that only independent, SME sized businesses are eligible for this grant (no chains). All applications will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Please also see the categories of business on the application form that are not eligible. Please find a standard definition of an SME on the government website.
Torbay Council are committed to supporting a diverse offering in Torbay high streets and want to support as many businesses as possible through the funding. If you’re not sure if your business is eligible, please get in touch.
Match funded simply means that the business applying for funding must match the amount requested with their own funds, pound for pound. For this pot of funding, the match requirement in 50%. For example, if you are looking to apply for £2,000 worth of funding, you must be able to prove you can match with investment with an additional £2,000; Therefore, the total amount of the investment would be £4,000.
If you are successful in receiving a grant, Torbay Council will award the grant funding once the activity is underway and evidence of this has been provided. This is different from the start-up funding, as the combined investment is greater.
This grant will be paid once a Grant Funding Agreement has been signed by both parties and in arrears IE.) Once the work has taken place. Once the work has been undertaken and the evidence of this has been supplied, businesses can expect to receive their grant funding within 30 days. Funds will be transferred into Business Bank Accounts only (not personal accounts or cash).