(2) Euro Workspace Limited - Agreed to support
£79,886 - GBER
Local Authority of business - Breckland District Council
Four new full-time jobs to be created.
NS provided background information to the grant application. The Panel noted the business was a
previous recipient of a GBF grant in January 2019. The acquisition of new manufacturing machinery
will improve quality and increase output and efficiency to meet demand. The business has a good
track record and is a good application for GBF support. Noted forecast is ambitious and will stretch
the business but they have a history of achieving. Comment was made on the relatively low salaries
being offered.
Observation was made that Euro Workspace Limited is a good company and product, that highlights
the success of LEP funding, and would make a good case study. The Panel noted that a case study
cannot be progressed until the business has been issued with, and accepted, an Offer Letter.
Action: JW to feed details on Euro Workspace Limited through to the LEP Comms team
to make a case study in due course.
(3) Universal Control Equipment Limited - Agreed to support
£40,000 - GBER
Local authority of business: Ipswich Borough Council
Two new full-time jobs to be created.
AC provided background information to the grant application. The Panel noted the business was a
previous recipient of a GBF grant in August 2015. General discussion took place on company
structure, finances, and impact of Covid-19 in terms of restricted travel in USA affecting final
machine sign-off. The Panel noted overall the grant application was to help with efficiency and
productivity, rather than growth investment. A successful business, in a LEP priority sector and area
- another good fit for the GBF scheme.
DG suggested it would be advisable for the Growth Hub Adviser to go and talk to the business to see
if their ideas could be patented and, if so, to secure them where possible.
Small Grant Scheme (SGS) - JW provided update. The SGS scheme is now closed as all funds
have been committed; all funds had to be spent by 31 August 2021. Have now put in a Project
Change Request (PCR) to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
asking for additional funding to take the Business Growth Programme through to June 2023.
Currently awaiting a decision on the PCR, but if approved, the programme will get more money for an
‘SGS type’ of grant scheme. Taking the view that the closure of the SGS scheme is only temporary,
the Growth Hub will continue finding clients.
Growth Through Innovation (GTI) - JW provided update. GTI has been quiet during
Spring/Summer but has now seen an uplift in interest, with enquiries coming in. Slowly picking up.
Community Renewal Fund (CRF) - JW provided update. Applications have been submitted into
Government in May, one for a Net Zero project and one for Start-Up provision; one each for Norfolk
and Suffolk. To date we have not heard the outcome. Understand that Central Government has
some legal issues, therefore, although the project was meant to start on the 01 September 2021, the
start date has now been pushed back to 01 October 2021, or even 01 November 2021. CRF will be a
short-term project as it has to be delivered by 31 March 2022. Currently have a lot of potential
projects waiting to be approved.
The Growth Hub have currently recruited four new advisers who will be starting over the next few
weeks, following training, to help businesses with Net Zero. A tender is also going out for Net Zero
consultants to go on a preferred supplier list.