New £3m fund to help retail micro-businesses move online
Open for applications from 6pm Tuesday 2 February 2021, the COVID-19 Micro-business E-commerce Grant is specifically designed to help micro-business retailers develop their sales online.
It is the second of our schemes focussed on helping retailers adjust to the ongoing restrictions and current closure of our high streets and help them grow online sales longer term. This particular scheme is focused on micro-businesses retailers – those employing less than 10 people, with retail premises and which derive the majority of their turnover from retail customers.
Eligible businesses will be able to receive a maximum grant of £5,000 towards up to 80 per cent of eligible costs.
Full details on criteria, eligibility and Guidance Notes on how to apply are available on nibusinessinfo.co.uk/mbeg
What can the grant be used for?
The Micro-business E-commerce Grant has up to £3m of support available in this call.
The grant is specifically for helping micro-business retailers to pivot to online selling and grow their business online.
Some of the eligible activities covered by the scheme include:
- engaging the services of a supplier to review your current digital marketing capabilities and online sales channels,
- develop an e-commerce strategy,
- develop or enhance your e-commerce website or online presence to drive increased sales,
- help improve the digital marketing and e-commerce capability of the employees in the business.
Full details on criteria, eligibility and Guidance Notes on how to apply are available on nibusinessinfo.co.uk/mbeg
When to apply
COVID-19 Micro-business E-commerce Grant will be issued to eligible businesses on a first-come-first-served basis.
We recommend you apply as soon as possible as the grant will close to applications, either:
- When the available budget is fully allocated: or
- On the closing date of 6pm on Friday 12 March 2021, whichever comes first.
To find out if you are eligible to apply please complete the Eligibility Checker .
How this support can help
Our first digital selling scheme, COVID-19 Digital Selling Capability Grant (DSCG), offered support to small and medium-sized retailers and committed £1m of support.
The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in a significant shift in consumer buying habits towards more online purchasing. Invest NI’s Digital Selling Capability Grant has given us access to digital experts who are helping us to create a new eCommerce website to improve our service online. […] We would encourage those micro retail businesses who need extra online support to avail of this new scheme and secure the future of their business.
Colin Patterson, Managing Director, Smyth Patterson
Read more of our COVID-19 response features:
- New Energy Efficiency Capital Grant to help businesses benefit from long term cost savings and carbon savings - 24 Nov 2020
- New £2m scheme launched to help SMEs develop business recovery plans – 07 Oct 2020
- 2020 – A year of change for NI businesses– 29 Sept 2020
- Why exporting will play an important role in rebuilding our economy post COVID- 28 Sept 2020
- New Digital Selling grant to help retailers and wholesalers generate business online– 09 Sept 2020
- Northern Ireland’s SMEs supported with £5m equity fund- 09 Sept 2020
- Innovation in the face of COVID-19 – 29 June 2020
- Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on our sectors– 10 June 2020
- Rising to the COVID-19 challenge(Part2) - 05 May 2020
- Rising to the COVID-19 challenge– 27 April - 2020
Comments
PUSHPENDER SINGH
Hi there looking to APPLY FOR The Micro-business E-commerce Gran. PLEASE help me out Many thanks
Invest NI
Hi, Full details on criteria, eligibility and Guidance Notes on how to apply are available on nibusinessinfo.co.uk/mbeg . Thank you for your message.
Geoffrey Vogan
We would like to arrange virtual appointments with our customers but would need advise on how this works plus if we could employ a cad technician to show case our goods displayed on line within the customers plans to give a idea of how items may look in a realistic living room or sunroom setting
Invest NI
Hi Geoffrey, Thank you for your message. We would encourage you to read the Guidance Notes for the scheme and complete the Eligibility Checker to see if your business and project might be eligible. There is also an online enquiry form for more specific questions. All of this is accessed via www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/mbeg
terry corrigan
would like more info on the e commerce for retail please thank you
Invest NI
Hi Terry, thank you for your message. Full details on the scheme, including Guidance Notes and an Eligibility Checker, are available on www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/mbeg
CALL A CAB NI LTD
WE WOULD BE OBLIDGED IF YOU COULD SEND US DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY FOR GRANT REGARDS PROMOTING OUR aPP BOOKINGS FOR THE PROVISION OF tAXI SERVIES. wE ARE A NEW COMPANY THAT WAS SET UP ON 21/09/20 AND WE AHVE INSTALLED THE LATEST INTERNET BOOKING SYSTEM INTO OUR OFFICES. wE BELIEVE THE GRANT TOLWARDS PROMOTING OUR APP BOOKINGS WOULD BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO US AND OUR CUSTOMERS.
WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY GRANT AID FROM ANY GOVERNMENT BODY, AND HAVING 10 OFFICE STAFF AND 80 DRIVERS WE BELIEVE THAT SOME FORM OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Diana
Hello is tanning shop can apply for this grant ? we could sell creams and other cosmetics online.
thanks
Diana
Invest NI
Hi CALL A CAB NI, Thank you for your message. We would encourage you to read the Guidance Notes for the scheme and complete the Eligibility Checker to see if your business and project might be eligible. There is also an online enquiry form for more specific questions. All of this is accessed via www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/mbeg
Invest NI
Hi Diana, Full details on criteria, eligibility and Guidance Notes on how to apply are available on www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/mbeg . Thank you for your message.
Ivan Lavelle
We would like to have more exposure to our online takeaway business.
How do you apply?
Invest NI
Hi Ivan, Full details on criteria, eligibility and Guidance Notes on how to apply are available on www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/mbeg . Thank you for your message.
Frank Daly
Great scheme however I dont qualify as I only opened my business in 2020.. what about support for companies like mine?? - I was brave, took a risk and started a business when others wouldnt.. created employment and pay my taxes.. wheres my support ?? Just because Im not trading two years Im already at a disadvantage - I still need supports like this.. maybe even more than the more established business’ .. Really really frustrating
Frank Daly
Invest NI
Hi Frank, In addition to this scheme, Invest NI offers a wide range of support for businesses. Please call our Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 to see if we can support your business.
Anonymous
Hi
Can you tell me if applications for the grant for micro businesses selling online is still open?
Thanks
Tracey.
Invest NI
Hi Tracey, Thank you for your message. Applications to the COVID-19 Micro-business E-commerce Grant closed at 6pm on Friday 12 March 2021. In addition to this scheme, Invest NI offers a wide range of support for businesses. Please call our Business Support Team on 0800 181 4422 to see if we can support your business.