A Bit of Good News for Sunderland’s High Street
Through the Digitising the High Street project in Sunderland, I’ve sat across the table from florists, shoe repairers, deli owners and outdoor centres. People who are brilliant at what they do, who’ve built something real, and who are quietly worried about the same thing. The shop’s there. The skill’s there. The welcome’s there. But hardly anyone can find them online.
They know they need to keep up with competitors, but a new website and SEO is often thwarted by budget. So, when new grant funding becomes available to help them, I want to shout about it!
NBSL has just reopened the Sunderland Business Support Fund, and it means that there’s up to £2,400 up for grabs!
What the Grant Actually Is (the Short Version)
The fund covers up to 40% of a project that costs between £3,000 and £6,000 (before VAT, because VAT can’t be funded). So at the top end, that’s up to £2,400 back towards your new website.
One thing that is definitely worth knowing up front, so there are no nasty surprises, is that it’s not a discount off the price. You pay for the project, the work gets done, and then you claim the grant back from NBSL once it’s finished.
In real money, that looks like:
- A £3,000 project, up to £1,200 back
- A £6,000 project, up to £2,400 back
For a lot of the independents I’ve met in Sunderland, that’s the difference between “maybe one day” and “right, let’s actually do this”.
Are You Eligible?
There are a few boxes to tick, but for most small businesses they’re nothing to be scared of. To qualify, you’ll need to:
- Be based in Sunderland (the simple test is that you pay your business rates to Sunderland City Council)
- Be trading and making sales
- Have fewer than 250 staff (so almost every independent is comfortably in)
- Be looking to grow, whether that’s taking someone on or protecting the jobs you’ve already got
There’s one more about not having had more than £315,000 in government support across this year and the two before it. If you read that and thought “eh?”, don’t worry. Nearly every small business is miles underneath it, and if you’ve never had a grant before, you’re almost certainly fine.
And yes, before you ask, web design and development is right there on NBSL’s list of things the fund will pay towards. This isn’t a case of trying to squeeze a website in through the side door. It’s exactly the kind of thing the money is for.
The Timescale
Your project has to be finished within three months. Everything; the work and the claim, has to be done and dusted by November 2026 at the very latest. NBSL are expecting a lot of interest, so the funding pot won’t be available long-term.
The honest takeaway: if a new website has been sitting on your “one day” list, this is the nudge to make “one day” an actual date and get it booked in.
How I Can Help
I’m a registered NBSL provider, which is the official way of saying I’ve already been through their checks, so your project starts on solid ground.
But the bigger thing, really, is that I’ve already done this work in Sunderland. I know the high streets. I’ve worked with the shops. And I know the difference it makes when a business that’s been all but invisible online suddenly starts turning up where its customers are looking.
If you fancy exploring it, the first step is just a chat. A free half hour, no pitch, no pressure. We’ll work out together whether the grant’s a realistic fit for you, and if it isn’t, I’ll tell you straight. If it is, I’ll help you through the application, build you a website that actually brings people through the door, and sort the claim paperwork at the end so it’s as painless as it can be.
You can book a call here or just email me at el****@*****is.uk.
Sunderland’s high streets are full of people worth backing. If a bit of funding is the only thing standing between you and finally getting your business seen, let’s not waste it.
Elaine.
A Few Quick Answers About the Grant
How much can I actually get?
Up to 40% of a project costing £3,000 to £6,000 (before VAT). The biggest grant available is £2,400, and you claim it back once the work is complete.
Does web design qualify?
Yes. Web design and development is on NBSL’s list of eligible projects, alongside things like marketing planning, software development and video. If your project isn’t obviously on the list, NBSL have said to get in touch and they’ll try to help.
When do I need to apply?
Soon. Projects must finish within three months, and everything has to be completed and claimed by November 2026. Demand’s expected to be high, so early is wise.
Does Exaltis help with the application, or just the website?
Both. As a registered NBSL provider, I can help you scope the project, write the application, build the website, and support the grant claim at the end. There’s no extra charge for the admin side.
What kind of website projects qualify?
Web design, web development, e-commerce, booking systems, marketing planning, design costs, software development, and video or animation for the site. The grant can’t be used for equipment or hardware.
What if I'm not sure whether I qualify?
The easiest thing is to have a free 30-minute chat. I’ll walk you through the eligibility criteria and let you know honestly whether the grant is a fit for your project. No pitch, no pressure.
