If you’re an SME based in Sheffield, you could be eligible for the Business Productivity and Digitisation Grant programme. The £1.75m funding pot for Sheffield businesses is derived from a sub-regional scheme that has received £5,199,593 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
As part of the programme, businesses can apply for a grant to help them pay for changes that make their business more productive. This could mean saving time, space, energy, or materials, and all applicants will be allocated a specialist Productivity Advisor to work with them to develop their project and submit the application, so it couldn’t be easier.
There are two types of grants available to apply for: Productivity or Digital Innovation.
With a Digital Innovation Grant:
- You can apply for a grant of between £2,500 and £5,000.
- This grant can pay for half of your project; your business will need to fund the other half.
With a Productivity Grant:
- You can apply for a grant of between £2,500 and £12,499.
- Your business must be able to pay at least the same amount as your grant towards your project (in total, your project cannot cost more than £125,000).
£1.2m has already been awarded to 140 businesses, and the remaining £500,000 must be committed before the end of this year, so it’s time to act now.
To hear more about how businesses benefited from the grant, we spoke to a number of Sheffield SMEs who’ve successfully applied for support.
DS CREATIVE
Can you start by giving us a brief explanation of your business?
Trading for over 15 years, we are a small business providing graphic design and commercial printing services. See our website for more details of what we do: dscreative.co.uk.
Can you tell us what your productivity/digital challenge was?
There were several challenges we faced. Firstly, we had to use a print partner for a lot of small and large format and specialist products, which added several days to process and complete the order. Secondly, our old equipment was unable to be linked to online orders, which meant manual input work and increased chances of errors. The result was that we were far less competitive, losing customers who wanted on-demand products.
What did you use the grant for and how much were you awarded?
We bought several state-of-the-art print machines from small to large format, and they came with the capability to be linked to online orders. The grant through Business Sheffield contributed to half of the overall costs.
What has been the main impact of the grant, and what difference has it made to your business?
It enabled us to buy several state-of-the-art digital print machines, enabling us to provide direct-from-website printing on the same day a product is ordered. This has made us far more efficient and enabled us to compete in a very busy market.
Can you detail any support you received from SCC through the application process?
We initially got in touch with Business Sheffield, with whom we discussed our project needs. Following this, we were then referred to the programme team, who assigned us a bid writer to help us with our grant application and grant claim. We received 50% grant funding to purchase the print machinery.
YORKSHIRE CANDLE COMPANY
Can you start by giving me a brief explanation of your business?
The Yorkshire Candle Company is a small, independent business based in Yorkshire, specialising in handcrafted, small batch candles inspired by local landscapes through fragrance. We produce a range of candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, room mists and candle making kits. Our most notable fragrance range is our Yorkshire Inspired range, which includes scents such as The Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire Moors, Whitby Harbour and more.
Can you tell us what your digital challenge was?
Our productivity challenge was to streamline the manual part of our production process. Our team collectively spent nine hours per day labelling products by hand – this was time-consuming, and it was certainly no one’s favourite job. The manual labelling process was so time-consuming that our output was limited, and we were therefore unable to meet the growing demand for our products. We were concerned that our customers would potentially have to source their products elsewhere, putting our business and staff in a vulnerable position. We wanted to overcome this challenge and offer security to our staff and customers.
What did you use the grant for and how much were you awarded?
The grant allowed us to automate our labelling process, which has now freed up staff to focus on other jobs. This, in turn, increases our production output, allowing us to fulfil orders more efficiently and cost-effectively. As a result, we can secure more work without fear of letting customers down with long lead times and secure our team’s employment through increased revenues. We feel incredibly lucky to have been supported by the grant, and we were awarded 50% match funding, so we as a business only covered half of the cost of the new machinery.
What has been the main impact of the grant, and what difference has it made to your business?
Since we introduced the labelling machinery into our business, we have reduced labelling from a combined 45 hours per week to around 8 hours per week. This gives our team the equivalent of 37 extra hours per week to focus on other jobs. This doesn’t just free up time; it also removes a repetitive job that can be draining for our staff. The benefits are an increase in both productivity and staff happiness.
Can you detail any support you received from SCC through the application process?
Throughout the application process, we were supported by the Business Sheffield team, who I can only thank for their support. They have had a hugely positive impact on our business, and we are very grateful for everything they have done for us. For anyone who hasn’t considered applying due to not being sure about the process, I recommend reaching out as you will be supported along the way.
STREAM 7
Can you start by giving me a brief explanation of your business?
Stream 7 has been at the forefront of event broadcasting for over a decade. Our experienced team combines cutting-edge technology with expertise to generate worldwide reach and connect audiences with your successful event. We specialise in Hybrid Events, Virtual Events, Content Creation, Event Studios, and Event Production.
Can you tell us what your productivity/ digital challenge was?
Our productivity challenge was the need to modernise our equipment to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. Investing in new, state-of-the-art cameras and associated accessories was crucial to not only maintain our competitive edge but also to expand our capabilities. Upgrading our equipment would also allow us to increase our staffing levels, creating opportunities to bring on additional camera operators and provide upskilling opportunities for our existing team.
What did you use the grant for and how much were you awarded?
We were awarded around £12,500, and we used the grant to invest in modern cameras and associated accessories. This investment allowed us to upgrade our equipment to deliver higher-quality productions and ensure the team is proficient with the latest professional equipment. The grant also enabled us to expand our team by recruiting two new members: Emily Woods, our new Business Development and Marketing Manager, and Damian Palli, our Creative Producer.
What has been the main impact of the grant, and what difference has it made to your business?
The grant has been transformative for our business. By investing in modern cameras and associated accessories, we have been able to upgrade the quality of our productions. As mentioned previously, we have also been able to invest more in business development and marketing through the recruitment of Emily as our new Business Development and Marketing Manager, while we have also brought Damien on board as our Creative Producer to meet the growing demand from our clients for high-quality content. As a result, the grant has helped us gain a significant advantage over our competitors, allowing us to take on new clients and jobs that we previously wouldn’t have been able to accommodate. The grant has been a catalyst for growth, enabling us to strengthen our market position, expand our team, and deliver even better services to our clients.
Can you detail any support you received from SCC through the application process?
We received invaluable support from Sheffield City Council throughout the application process, particularly from the team at Business Sheffield, who guided us from start to finish. They informed us about the funding opportunity and provided continuous assistance in navigating the application process. That guidance was crucial in securing the grant, which has since helped to strengthen our business.
For info on how to apply and eligibility criteria, head to the council website at www.sheffield.gov.uk/productivity-grant, call 0114 224 5000 or email businesssheffield@sheffield.gov.uk.
