Newhaven Grants Scheme
Newhaven Business Growth Fund: delivered by the Let’s Do Business Group
We are thrilled to be working with Newhaven Enterprise Zone to deliver the NEZ Business Growth Fund – part of the new Newhaven Forward 2026-2028 funding programme.
Building on the success of the previous Low Carbon Investment and Refurbishment of Employment Space funds, the Business Growth Fund combines their goals into a single, flexible grant to help Newhaven businesses grow, invest and move towards a more sustainable future.
About Newhaven Forward
Newhaven Forward: 2026-2028
Newhaven Forward is the Newhaven Enterprise Zone's new two-year funding programme, running from 2026 to 2028. It carries forward support for shopfront refurbishment in Newhaven Town Centre and community-centred activities, while bringing together the Low Carbon Investment and Refurbishment of Employment Space funds under the new Business Growth Fund – a single, streamlined route to grant support for local businesses.
What is the NEZ Business Growth Fund?
The NEZ Business Growth Fund offers grants of up to £15,000 to businesses located within the Newhaven Enterprise Zone, with a minimum 50% match funding requirement. Projects must enable business growth or improvement and align with the strategic objectives of the Enterprise Zone, demonstrating clear impact, benefits and value for money.
The fund supports projects across three priority areas:
1. Development of New or Refurbishment of Employment Space
Funding to support the development or revitalisation of employment spaces, covering:
Feasibility studies and master plans
Site investigations
Pre-planning work and business case development
Property adaptations
2. Low Carbon Investment
Supporting businesses that wish to grow by developing low-carbon products, processes or services. This includes:
Research and development into low-carbon products or services
Capital investment in low-carbon technologies
Environmental aid support
Measures to implement carbon reduction within your business
3. Capital Projects
Businesses can apply for grant funding towards the cost of capital projects, which may include:
New equipment or machinery
Low- or zero-carbon commercial vehicles
Please note: petrol/diesel cars and personal-use vehicles are not eligible. Personal devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and computers are also excluded.
Who can apply?
The fund is open to all businesses located within the Newhaven Enterprise Zone.
To be eligible, your business must meet the following criteria:
Fewer than 250 full-time equivalent employees
Balance sheet of less than £39 million
Turnover of less than £44 million
Hold a business bank account
Be able to provide evidence of full-time trading
Not be in any debt to Lewes District Council or other parties
Not have a County Court Judgement (CCJ)
Not be in bankruptcy, liquidation or similar proceedings
Be able to demonstrate project completion within two years following approval
Have not received more than £315,000 of state aid in the last three years
Be able to provide a minimum of 50% match funding towards the project
Eligible projects must create at least one full-time job, or meet any two of the following criteria:
Increased productivity
Introduction of a new-to-firm product or service
Creation of one part-time job
Increased local spend
Increased dwell time in Newhaven
Contribution to net-zero goals
Please note: Education, healthcare and residential services are not eligible for funding through this programme.
Read previous applicants’ stories below:
Ready to apply or want to find out more?
If your business is based in Newhaven and you'd like to find out whether you could be eligible for the Business Growth Fund, we're here to help. Get in touch with our team today.
