Image showing Medway Council Leader, Vince Maple, and Cllr Lauren Edwards, Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, at the relaunch of the Kent and Medway Business Fund
Medway Council Leader, Vince Maple, and Cllr Lauren Edwards, Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, at the relaunch of the Kent and Medway Business Fund
Published: Wednesday, 3rd January 2024

Businesses across Medway are set to benefit from a funding scheme supported by Medway Council.

The Kent and Medway Business Fund was recently relaunched by Kent County Council in partnership with us, offering interest free loans for successful businesses looking to grow.

Under the scheme, businesses can apply for a Small Business Boost or Standard loan, and Medway-based Guscott Heating was among the first successful applicants – having demonstrated how the loan will lead to growth and that they can match funding.

Helping ambitious plans

Company owner Harland Guscott said: “We applied for the Small Business Fund via Medway Council as the funding and favourable repayment plans meant we could unlock much-needed capital to help us scale our business in line with our ambitious growth plans, and help Medway deliver its net zero objectives. Without the fund, we wouldn't be able to deliver as many solutions to the people of Medway and Kent, and this is really important to us in helping our local community become greener.”

Based at Innovation Studios Medway, Maidstone Road, Chatham, Guscott Heating Services is an eco-focused heating company which installs both air source heat pumps and gas boilers. The ambitious team - which is also supported by the Scale Up Programme for high-growth Medway businesses - say they are ‘trailblazing a more sustainable future’ and aspire to become one of the South-East’s leading installers of renewable energy-based heating solutions.

The new loan will help their mission to save customers money on their energy bills, by adopting environmentally-conscious and innovative heating renewable technology; ‘giving them peace of mind without costing the earth’.

Take the next step

Harland added: “We are huge advocates for the scheme and urge any local business thinking about growing to look into the Small Business Fund. We wouldn't be in the financial position we are in today without it. Schemes like this can help small businesses like ours take the next step without it being a huge financial burden and lower the risk involved which helps make the opportunity to scale up more viable.”

Help your business grow

Cllr Lauren Edwards, Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, said: “I’m delighted to have restored Medway Council’s involvement with the scheme, which will help local businesses to grow and boost our local workforce and economy. It’s fantastic to see Medway businesses already benefiting and I wish Guscott Heating Services all the best with their exciting plans. I encourage other local business owners to look at the Kent and Medway Business Fund and see if it could be an important next step to help their business to grow.”

Find out more information on the Kent and Medway Business Fund.

Find out more about support for businesses from Medway Council.

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