Accountants’ grants-finding service in demand

NORTH West accountants Beever and Struthers has seen a surge in demand from businesses for its specialist “no win-no fee” grant-finding service.

The firm believes increasing numbers of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are seeking grants for research and development and to finance expansion plans because traditional funding providers are still not lending.
The firm is sourcing more than £4m of grant funding for businesses.

Charles Lucas, head of grants at Manchester-based Beever and Struthers, said many businesses found it almost impossible to identify and secure the grants they were entitled to.
His team uses an extensive database to help businesses find the relevant and applicable type of grant to match their needs.

Beever and Struthers offer a free initial search to all grant applicants and if the grant is not approved the firm does not charge the business. If a grant is approved Beever and Struthers negotiates a percentage of the monies received as its fee.

Mr Lucas said: “There’s a whole range of grants available from many different bodies but finding the right one can be extremely difficult. It’s especially hard for start-up businesses because their very nature means they don’t have the necessary contacts and grants can constantly change”.