Boosting Brentwood businesses- LibDem-led Council backs budding entrepreneurs

Small businesses backed by £10k Smart Start Brentwood grant awards

The Liberal Democrat-led Joint Administration at Brentwood Borough Council has awarded 11 small business grants, ranging from £400 to £1,000, to local entrepreneurs as part of the Smart Start Brentwood programme, as part of a £10,000 package of measures to support business growth, innovation, and resilience across the borough.

Funded by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Smart Start Brentwood provides targeted support to early‑stage and micro‑businesses, helping them access expert advice, develop new products and services, and build long‑term sustainability. The grants form part of a wider package of assistance designed to strengthen Brentwood’s local economy and foster a thriving small business community.

The successful applicants represented sectors ranging from the creative industries, wellbeing and personal services, digital enterprises, and local trades. The grants will help the businesses invest in equipment, software, marketing tools, and training that will enable firms to expand their offer and improve productivity.

Councillor David Kendall, (LD- Brentwood West), who chairs the Finance and Resources Committee, welcomed the support for local entrepreneurs through the grants.

He said: “Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and this funding will give recipients a real boost as they invest in new equipment, skills, and ideas. It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of businesses benefitting, and I look forward to seeing how they grow and contribute to a vibrant and resilient Brentwood.”