Applications to the fund for 2015 have now closed. We have been inundated with excellent applications and, because we got roughly twice as many as we were expecting we will have had to short list the candidates, otherwise we would have to ask the residents of Levenshulme to spend pretty much a whole day and night at the voting event on 8th March!
Thankfully, we have a trusty group of independent assessors who had agreed to act as supervisors for the applications (making sure they met all the criteria of the awards) and the voting (making sure there’s no funny business!) and they have very kindly worked together to produce a short list from the applicants received. the short listed applicants/projects are as follows:
Byrne the Cake Brewery
Decourcey Designs
Indulge Dessert Café – Expansion
LCDC – Craft in the Community
Levenshulme Contemporary Art Centre – LCAC Shop
Lily and Daisy Flower Company
Love Levenshulme
Samosa Shack
Thairish Café – Facelift
Woolly Mammoth
In the mean time, we’d like to thank our panel of independent assessors who represent The Kindling Trust, UnLtd, Heaton Moor Market and the North Manchester Regeneration team of MCC.
APPLICANT INFORMATION:
Apply for your share of £15,000 to make a difference to Levenshulme high street or to start or develop your own market business!
In 2015 the Levenshulme Market Fund will have two streams and we expect to award multiple winners from each strand:
High street innovation fund – where you can apply for up to £5000
The deadline for applications has now passed – we will be in touch with all applicants shortly.
- Applications will come from individuals, existing businesses, charities, or community groups who may be non-residents of Levenshulme so long as their applications are for Levenshulme-based projects (see note below)
- Applications must be for projects directly related to improving the street front retail environment in Levenshulme – this is not limited to businesses or projects sited on Stockport Road but they must be either related to improving the retail environment or creating or improving a retail business or service with a physical “shop front” in Levenshulme
- Applications will need to demonstrate the difference they will make in the short term, as well as the long term – longevity of impact is key!
- Applicants will be expected to have determined feasibility and laid some ground work for their project – such as producing detailed costings to accompany their application, a business plan for longer term projects or demonstrating that they have already begun creating the relationships with landlords or other stakeholders that will allow them to complete their project on time and on budget
- Awards must be used to cover capital costs or one-off outsourced services revenue costs (i.e. initial rent, initial rates, web design) but cannot be used to pay fixed and ongoing revenue costs, such as wages to directors or staff, longer term monthly rent or rates costs
- Applicants must be aged 16 or older.
Market innovation fund – where you can apply for up to £1000
The deadline for applications has now passed – we will be in touch with all applicants shortly.
- Applications can only come from residents of Levenshulme (see note below)
- Applications must come either from residents who would like to start their own business (or modify it) in such a way that they can trade on the market or from resident market traders who already trade on Levenshulme Market who would like to expand or improve their business
- Successful applicants will commit to trading at Levenshulme Market at least once per month for the duration of 2015 but applications for funding to cover stall fees will not be accepted
- Applicants will need to demonstrate the feasibility and impact of their application – with detailed costings and information on the difference the funding will make to the long term prospects of their business
- Awards must be used to cover capital costs or one-off outsourced services revenue costs (i.e. web design) but cannot be used to pay fixed and ongoing revenue costs, such as wages to directors or staff or to pay for stall rental fees
- Applicants must be aged 16 or older.
Before you apply
Completed applications must be returned by Friday 20th February 2015 at 9.00am.
If you want to you can apply now for the high street innovation fund by completing the application form here or for the market innovation fund by completing the application form here. OR you can come to our information event where you can pick up a printed application form, meet other potential applicants and get help to develop your idea:
Levenshulme Market Fund 2015, Information Drop In Event
Saturday 31st January 2015 – 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Inspire Café, Stockport Road, Levenshulme, M19 3AR
You do not have to attend the information event to make an application.
Printed application forms are also available on request. Translated forms will be available at the informaion event – if you are not able to attend this event but would like a translated form please contact us.
If your application is eligible, you will be asked to make a presentation about your idea on Sunday 8th March 2015 between 5.00pm and 9.00pm at The Klondyke Club, Burnage Range, Levenshulme, M19 2HQ.
You will have 3 minutes to make your presentation. Members of the community in the audience will then vote on who gets funded. Please do not apply if you are not available to make your pitch on that date.
NOTE: We’re not a fan of ward boundaries – Levenshulme retail space and residents have M19 postcodes – that’s all that matters to us!
Please read all the information above and the awards FAQ here.
If you are unsure if your proposal is suitable just get in touch and we will advise you.