Business Grants for Wirral Businesses (2025/26)

If you run a business in Wirral, you’ll be pleased to know there are a range of business grants for Wirral businesses available – from council-backed schemes and regional programmes to national grant competitions. Below is a detailed list of current grants and support programmes, with a focus on those that help startups, small businesses, and enterprises aiming to grow digitally (for example, investing in online marketing, e-commerce, or innovation).

Local & Regional Grant Programmes (Wirral & Liverpool City Region)

Accelerate Wirral (Digital Business Support Programme)

Wirral Council “Universal” Business Support (UKSPF-Funded)

Provider: Wirral Council (delivered by Wirral Chamber of Commerce).
Summary: Backed by a £2 million UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation, this scheme provides fully-funded advice, training workshops (including digital marketing and ecommerce), youth entrepreneurship events, and resilience planning. All support is free of charge.
Eligibility: All Wirral-based businesses – startups, SMEs, and social enterprises.
Deadlines: Ongoing – available year-round.
Source: Wirral Business Support Service

Argyle Quarter Commercial Property Improvement Grant (Birkenhead)

Provider: Wirral Council – Regeneration.
Summary: A capital grant scheme offering up to £5,000 per project for commercial property improvements in the Argyle Street/Market Street area of Birkenhead. Funding covers shopfront upgrades, signage, lighting, interior refits, or bringing vacant units back into use.
Eligibility: Small and micro-enterprises (including social enterprises) located in the Argyle Quarter area.
Deadlines: The 2024 round closed in October 2024. Future rounds may be announced.
Source: Wirral Council – Argyle Quarter Grant

Liverpool City Region Seed Fund

Provider: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Summary: A £10 million equity investment fund launched in 2025 to accelerate innovative early-stage businesses. Investments range from £250,000 to £2 million, targeting sectors such as advanced manufacturing, digital & creative, and health & life sciences.
Eligibility: Innovators and early-stage businesses within the Liverpool City Region seeking investment.
Source: Liverpool City Region Seed Fund

LCR Freeport Innovation Challenge Fund

Provider: Liverpool City Region Freeport & Combined Authority.
Summary: £750,000 of capital grant funding for projects addressing challenges in freight decarbonisation and digital customs/logistics. Designed to support transformative technology for the port and trade sector.
Eligibility: Businesses linked to Freeport locations (including Wirral Waters) with innovative solutions in logistics or green technologies.
Deadlines: Formal calls expected late 2025.
Source: LCR Freeport Innovation Fund

Key Fund – Social Enterprise Grants

Provider: Key Fund.
Summary: Offers blended finance (grants plus loans) from £5,000 to £300,000 for social enterprises and trading charities. Funding can be used for equipment, premises, service expansion, or community projects.
Eligibility: Social enterprises, CICs, co-ops, and community-focused businesses in the North West.
Deadlines: Rolling – applications accepted year-round.
Source: Key Fund

UK National Grants Accessible to Wirral Businesses

Innovate UK Grants

Provider: Innovate UK.
Summary: Competitive R&D grants ranging from £25,000 to several million pounds. Funding supports new product development, prototyping, and testing in areas such as AI, clean growth, and healthcare. Ideal for businesses with innovative ideas and strong commercial potential.
Eligibility: UK-registered businesses (SMEs encouraged).
Deadlines: Multiple competitions run throughout the year.
Source: Innovate UK Funding Competitions

SWEF Young Entrepreneurs Fund

Provider: SWEF.
Summary: Grants of up to £2,000 for 18–30 year olds starting or growing a business. Funds can be used for equipment, product development, or marketing.
Eligibility: Young entrepreneurs (18–30) across the UK, with coverage in Merseyside via regional community foundations.
Deadlines: Rolling applications.
Source: SWEF – Apply

Simply Business – Young Entrepreneur Fund

Provider: Simply Business.
Summary: In 2025, Simply Business is awarding 10 grants of £5,000 each (plus mentoring) to young entrepreneurs aged 18–30. In previous years, its “Business Boost” programme awarded £25,000 to a single small business.
Eligibility: UK small businesses, with the 2025 fund specifically for entrepreneurs aged 18–30.
Deadlines: Entries for 2025 close on 9 October 2025.
Source: Simply Business – Young Entrepreneur Fund

How This Links to SEO Growth

Many of these grants – especially those supporting digital development – can be directly tied to improving your online presence. Whether you’re a startup using a £2,000 SWEF grant for branding, an SME leveraging council support to improve your ecommerce, or a growing tech company seeking Innovate UK funding, one thing is clear: investing in a local SEO service in Wirral and other digital marketing is the bridge between grant funding and real business growth.

If you secure a grant, consider allocating part of it to professional SEO services. At Graham SEO, we help Wirral businesses turn funding into long-term visibility, higher rankings, and more customers.

Tip: Keep an eye on official sources such as the UK Business Finance Support Finder and the Liverpool City Region Growth Platform for the latest updates on funding opportunities.