£650k to help Sutton’s businesses go greener, support local skills and build networks

The first fund - the Sutton Business Recovery Grant Fund - is for businesses that have lost income due to the pandemic. The funding will help cover running costs, reduce their environmental impact and support local skills and employment.

The Council will work with successful applicants to tackle the climate emergency and support the borough’s economic recovery. This could include measures like switching to low carbon vehicles, improving the energy efficiency of business premises, taking on an apprentice or offering work experience through local schools. The Council will support businesses to deliver these activities through workshops, webinars, events, resources and advice - directly or from its partners.

The second funding stream - the Business Networks Support Fund - will help business groups, networks and support organisations to build networks, deliver training and support, increase footfall or customer base, or improve the local environment around businesses. 

The grants are funded by the Government through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) scheme and managed by the Council as part of a package of support for businesses recovering from the pandemic. 

Since the start of lockdown, the Council has helped well over 700 businesses in the borough to survive and recover by paying out nearly £50million in grants. The Council has set up local discretionary grant funding schemes to allocate the Government funding and worked hard to identify Sutton businesses eligible to receive grants. The Council also allocated £39million in business rates relief.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, Chair of the Council’s Housing, Economy and Business Committee, said: 

Following the COP26 climate summit, sustainability is at the top of the business agenda.

“We know that local businesses can help play a big role in our journey to net zero carbon emissions, but the financial impact of the pandemic has made it harder for them to rise to this challenge. This new funding will enable businesses to play their part in Sutton’s cleaner, greener, more sustainable future.

“I’m also pleased that by supporting local networks we’ll be making Sutton an even better place for our brilliant businesses to thrive and grow. The Council has worked hard to help them survive the pandemic and now we’re committed to recovering better together.”

Find out if your business or business network is eligible and how to apply.