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<p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span class="heading-2"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Time to get artistic as Ashfield Creates takes centre stage</strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">Ashfield communities are being urged to embrace their artistic flair as a £1 million creative programme takes a huge leap forward.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">Ashfield District Council, together with the Ashfield Arts Partnership, is excited to announce the appointment of Nonsuch Studios as the Programme Managers and Producers for Ashfield Creates.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">The programme sees arts, creativity and culture take the spotlight thanks to a £1 million investment from Arts Council England. Launched in Summer 2024, this is a community-led programme to enable more people than ever before to embrace creative events and opportunities.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">Nonsuch Studios will lead and deliver the programme and will also be responsible for appointing key project staff. It will bring the ambitious vision of the programme to life from April 2025 onwards.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">Local Creative Networks will be established in Hucknall, Kirkby, Sutton, and across the rural villages to engage communities with creative activities, events, and experiences.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">There will also be commissions for artists, a creative workforce development programme and dedicated resources. Ashfield Creates aims to reach over 160,000 live audience members, over 14,000 participants, 250 volunteers and over 500 creative practitioners.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">Cllr Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council said: “Ashfield Creates is something we are proud to be part of to encourage arts and creativity across the District. This is an exciting development in the project and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Nonsuch Studios as the new Programme Manager and Producer.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">“It has already done great things as part of the Ashfield Arts Partnership and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">“The arts are something I have always been passionate about and this £1 million investment is already helping us to reach more people and groups. Creative industries bring excellent economic benefit as they bring skills and employability to the District. Creative events also bring people into areas where they spend and support the locality.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">“We have had some excellent feedback so far on what you would like to see happen across the District and it shows how much enthusiasm there is out there for this.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">Edward Boott, Artistic Director and CEO of Nonsuch Studios said: “The entire Nonsuch Studios team is absolutely delighted that we have been appointed as the Programme Managers and Producers of Ashfield Creates.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">“Having worked extensively in Ashfield since 2019 and supported much of the groundwork, designing and shaping of the Ashfield Creates programme, we really can’t wait to get started and begin creating some truly amazing moments and experiences.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">“Having already run lots of consultation sessions and spoken with hundreds of artists, organisations and individuals over the past two years, we know how important this investment is and understand how crucial it is to ensure this funding genuinely reaches everyone across Ashfield; building creative skills, providing amazing cultural moments and supporting their stories to be told.”</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">Local organisations, individuals and community groups will work with the dedicated Ashfield Creates staff to plan regular activities across dance, theatre, art, music, and craft. The co-created programme will include weekly local events and performances, and a yearly community arts festival, as well as large-scale events and festivals working with national and international artists.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">More than 1,400 people have engaged with creative events, meetings and consultations since the programme was announced in July 2024. These have helped shape the next stages with the creation of Ashfield’s first ever Cultural Strategy that will support arts, culture and creativity until 2035 and will be launched later in the Spring.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">More information on how to get involved in Ashfield Creates is available at ashfieldcreates.co.uk</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><img src="https://media.umbraco.io/dev-discover-ashfield-heartcore/frql4gdt/ashfield-creates-2.jpg?mode=max&amp;anchor=&amp;width=500" alt="" width="500" height="333"></p>

Time to get artistic as Ashfield Creates takes centre stage

<h1>Business grants</h1>
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<p>If you are an established business looking to grow, there may be grants available to help you develop your projects.</p>
<h2>Find available grants</h2>
<p>You can search for available grants using the following websites:</p>
<ul>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grantsonline.org.uk/search/grants">Grants online&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://grantnav.threesixtygiving.org/">Grant Nav - threesixtygiving&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grantfinder.co.uk/">Grant finder&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fundsonline.org.uk/">Funds online&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support">Business finance support - GOV.UK&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Local grants available</h2>
<h3><strong>Enterprise development grant</strong></h3>
<p>This grant scheme is being offered by Ashfield District Council and is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It can provide up to £10,000 (excluding VAT) or 75% of eligible project costs and is available to small and medium sized established enterprises with commercial premises based in the District of Ashfield.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This grant can be used towards the following eligible project costs:</p>
<ul>
<li>Capital expenditures that increase productivity and efficiency</li>
<li>3<sup>rd</sup>&nbsp;Party consultancy advice and services. &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Specialist training and accreditation's.</li>
<li>Support with accessing new markets/supply chains or increasing existing commercial operations.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you are interested, please contact our business support team to request further information or to arrange an online appointment to discuss your business growth project in more detail.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li>commences&nbsp; 23 April 2025</li>
<li>closing date: 31 October 2025 or sooner, subject to available funds.</li>
<li>email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:business.support@ashfield.gov.uk" class="email">business.support@ashfield.gov.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>SWEF Programme</h3>
<p>The SWEF fund is a national charity initiative, aimed at enhancing the activities of young business owners, innovators, and entrepreneurs. If you are aged between 18 to 30 years old, from a low-income household or facing other challenges preventing you from developing your business, and you live and work Nottinghamshire then this programme may help you with grant funding up to £2000. You can be at pre-start, start up or established trading stages as long as you have not been trading for over 2 years.</p>
<p>This grant can be used to help pay towards:</p>
<ul>
<li>equipment that will help a business bring in a second revenue stream</li>
<li>equipment that will help a business increase production where there is proven demand</li>
<li>materials/stock for a new product line</li>
<li>prototypes</li>
<li>website/booking system build.</li>
<li>training</li>
<li>product development</li>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nottscf.org.uk/grant/swef-grant-programme/">SWEF grant programme&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.swef.uk/">SWEF Funding&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Invest to grow</h3>
<p>The University of Derby's Invest to Grow programme provides loans and grants to support private sector businesses across the East Midlands, to innovate, grow, and create new jobs or safeguard existing jobs. Funding can cover 30% of agreed capital project costs, therefore an award of £15,000 would be for a minimum project cost of £50,000. The maximum award is £250,000. This is a Regional Growth Fund (RGF) grant, with no closing date.</p>
<ul>
<li>email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:investtogrow@derby.ac.uk" class="email">investtogrow@derby.ac.uk</a></li>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.derby.ac.uk/business-services/funding/access-to-funding/">Invest to grow&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Innovate UK Business Growth</h3>
<p>Attracting funding to support innovation is a key priority for fast growing, innovative businesses that ultimately want to scale up. Innovate UK Business Growth can support you to develop your finance and funding strategy and review your application as a critical friend. This is a key part of the UK innovation agency’s investment to drive economic growth, and work with industry sector specialists that can support all types of businesses across our region.</p>
<ul>
<li>email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:information@emc-dnl.co.uk" class="email">information@emc-dnl.co.uk</a></li>
<li>website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.innovateukedge.ukri.org/">Innovate UK Business Growth&nbsp;(external link)</a></li>
</ul>
</div>

Grant News

Enterprise Development Grant

<h1>Test trading opportunities</h1>
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<h2>Are you ready to turn your passion into profit?</h2>
<p>Ashfield District Council are providing people with an opportunity to develop and try out their business ideas trading to the public.</p>
<p>Our Test Trading places provide 4 days free trading as a guest at the following local markets, subject to availability:</p>
<ul>
<li>link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/community-leisure/markets-town-centres/sutton-market/">Sutton outdoor and indoor market</a></li>
<li>link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/community-leisure/markets-town-centres/kirkby-market/">Kirkby outdoor market</a></li>
<li>link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/community-leisure/markets-town-centres/hucknall-market/">Hucknall outdoor market</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Benefits to your business</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trial your products at an established market</li>
<li>Gain feedback from customers and visitors to your stall</li>
<li>Help to refine your sales and marketing approach</li>
<li>Reach a broader audience</li>
<li>Have peer support</li>
<li>Make money</li>
<li>Increase your visibility to local consumers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Eligibility criteria</h3>
<ul>
<li>Must be a resident of Ashfield.</li>
<li>Aged over 18 years.</li>
<li>Not have traded in the declared line of goods before</li>
<li>Be interested in setting up a brand-new business.</li>
<li>Or have an existing online business that they now wish to interact with general public.</li>
<li>Must not have a physical High Street presence in Ashfield.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expression of interest</h3>
<p>If you meet the eligibility criteria and would like the opportunity to test your business idea, email our Markets team. Please put ‘Test Trading Opportunity’ into the subject box on your email.</p>
<ul>
<li>email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:all_markets@ashfield-dc.gov.uk" class="email">markets@ashfield.gov.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<p>If you are accepted by our Markets team, they will provide you with an opportunity to visit some of our local markets and receive advice on what you might need to help you start trading. Once you know this you can also apply for a small grant to help you become market ready.</p>
<h3><strong>Opportunity terms and conditions</strong></h3>
<p>When receiving a stall from Ashfield District Council, traders automatically sign up to the rules and regulations of the market set out in the trader’s permit, the code of conduct and Market byelaws. We will provide details of these to all successful applicants, and we will also pay for public liability insurance to cover 4 days trading at our markets under this scheme. Participants can also apply for a small grant of up £500.</p>
<ul>
<li>link:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/community-leisure/markets-town-centres/">Find out more about trading in Ashfield markets</a></li>
<li>email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:all_markets@ashfield-dc.gov.uk" class="email">markets@ashfield.gov.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<p>There is a small grant available, if:</p>
<ul>
<li>you want to start your own business</li>
<li>you are on not engaged on any other business start-up programme</li>
<li>you have a business idea (or ideas) that you want to test</li>
<li>you are prepared to commit time and energy to testing your idea and trade for 4 full days at Ashfield markets.</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>How can you use your grant?</strong></h3>
<p>Use this grant to build knowledge about your business, market, or industry. This could be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Test selling&nbsp;to understand if customers want to buy your product or service</li>
<li>Carrying out&nbsp;market research&nbsp;to help you understand who your customers are and how you can reach them</li>
<li>Working out&nbsp;how you will deliver&nbsp;your product or service, and the&nbsp;costs involved</li>
<li>Gaining skills, knowledge and experience&nbsp;to find out if this business is right for you</li>
<li>Towards materials (not stock or vehicles) that can help you to transport and set up trading at Ashfield Markets</li>
</ul>
<p>For example:</p>
<ul>
<li>Table</li>
<li>Fixtures</li>
<li>Banner</li>
<li>Tablecloths</li>
<li>Baskets</li>
<li>Card Reader and Phone or Tablet (for cashless payments)</li>
<li>Money belt or cash tin (for cash payments)</li>
<li>Clear protective sheets (protection against wind and rain)</li>
<li>Price and product cards/stickers</li>
<li>Various size clips (to attach sheets, table cloths, price and product notices, etc)</li>
<li>Weights (to secure the stall, products, display cases, etc)</li>
<li>Plinths and shelving units (at different heights and sizes to create layers of products)</li>
<li>Battery lights (to display and highlight products)</li>
<li>Branded protective clothing (such as aprons, t-shirts, etc to reinforce brand)</li>
</ul>
<p>If selling food:</p>
<ul>
<li>hand wash facilities</li>
<li>cool boxes</li>
<li>power banks, etc.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>We recommend test trading applicants speak with our Markets team to learn more about what you may need so that you can maximise on your 4 days of free trading.</p>
<ul>
<li>email:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:all_markets@ashfield-dc.gov.uk" class="email">markets@ashfield.gov.uk</a></li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>How much is the Test Trading Grant?</strong></h3>
<p>You can apply for up to £500 to test your business idea:</p>
<ul>
<li>We will ask you for quotes, a budget and a clear plan of how you will test your idea</li>
<li>The amount you are offered will depend on your test activities</li>
<li>You must use this grant within 3 months</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>You cannot make multiple applications</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>This grant can only be applied for once</li>
</ul>
</div>

Trading Opportunities

Test Trading Opportunities

<p><span class="heading-3">Summer is just around the corner and Ashfield District Council will be kicking it off with two blockbuster films in the park.</span></p>
<p>Selston Films in the Park will return on Saturday 21 June with 2 huge releases being shown on the big screen at Selston Country Park.</p>
<p>Families are invited to join the Council as it welcomes everyone’s favourite bear for the 2pm showing with Paddington in Peru. The untold story of the Witches of Oz will be shared at 6pm as Wicked will get film-lovers singing into the evening.</p>
<p>The event, organised by Out of the Box Events on behalf of Ashfield District Council, will also include acoustic acts playing in the bar area, inflatables, face painting and a bar.</p>
<p>It is the first event of Summer which will also see the return of the popular 3-day Ashfield Show in August, Hucknall Fest and the Ashfield Food and Drink Festival.</p>
<p>Cllr Jason Zadrozny, Leader of Ashfield District Council, said:</p>
<p>“There is nothing better than sitting in the park, hopefully in the nice weather, and watching a good film. We put out a poll on Facebook to find out which films people wanted for this year’s Selston Films in the Park.“I have to say they are excellent choices. This is a free event and just the first of a wonderful Summer of events for the people of Ashfield. Please come along and show it your support.“We hope to hear everyone singing along with Wicked to end what promises to be a fun evening.”</p>
<p>This is a free event; no tickets or booking required - just bring your chairs, blankets, and snacks.</p>

Paddington in Peru and Wicked join Selston Films in the Park

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<h1>New artist impressions reveal homes plan for West Kirkby Gateway</h1>
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<p>Artist impressions have revealed plans for brand new high-quality homes heading to Kirkby.</p>
<p>Ashfield District Council is pushing forward with plans for 12 apartments to be built close to Kirkby railway station.</p>
<p>This will allow for quality homes, designed to meet high levels of energy efficiency in a well-connected location.</p>
<p>The work at the site will also improve the openness and visibility of the station entrance.</p>
<p>A planning application for the project is due to be submitted in Summer 2025 and, subject to planning approval being granted, the construction phase will start in early 2026.</p>
<p>The plans are just one of the Council’s projects being funded by the £62.6 million Towns Fund. Other Towns Fund projects include the now completed Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre at Sherwood Observatory, redesign of Portland Square, and the Enterprising Ashfield project.</p>
<p>The Council initially developed plans to construct a new destination pub at the site. However, further market testing found interest was very low so it was decided that this was not the best use of the area. &nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="https://media.umbraco.io/dev-discover-ashfield-heartcore/0owdub15/24031-wkg-image-02-context.jpeg?mode=max&amp;anchor=&amp;width=500" alt="" width="500" height="144"></p>
<p>Cllr Matthew Relf, Ashfield District Council’s Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning, said:</p>
“This is a huge project to improve an important gateway into Kirkby, providing more high-quality energy-efficient homes.“We have carried out a lot of consultation with residents and councillors to find out what would be the best fit for this location. We listened to the feedback to the earlier plans and redrafted our approach to ensure we deliver the right outcomes for our area.“Work on this project is due to start early 2026, delivering a landmark building at the entrance to Kirkby town centre and more footfall for our excellent town centre businesses.“This is one of the many ways we are breathing new life into the District. We have already seen the opening of the new Sherwood Observatory and Planetarium, which has been become an excellent and well used facility bringing people into Ashfield. Work is also well underway on many other regeneration projects such the Cornerstone Theatre and Portland Square. After so many years of bidding, securing funding, construction planning, etc. it is fantastic to see these projects reaching their construction phase.”
<p>Network Rail is currently in the process of sourcing funding for improvements to Kirkby railway station, which includes changes for disabled access. A previous bid for Access For All funding, a programme to enhance stations for disabled passengers, was unsuccessful but future funding opportunities will continue to be monitored.</p>
<p>A Network Rail spokesperson said:</p>
“We remain committed to seeing significant improvements at Kirkby which will benefit all visitors to the station and complement the other great developments in the area.“The plans for these apartments would mean the station entrance space being upgraded, and this would give a glimpse of the more widescale positive changes still to come.”</div>
</div>
</div>

New artist impressions reveal homes plan for West Kirkby Gateway

<div class="xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs x126k92a">
<div>Calling all Mural Artists&nbsp;</div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a">
<div><a tabindex="-1" class="html-a xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x1hl2dhg x16tdsg8 x1vvkbs"></a>Ashfield Creates are bringing bold new street art to Kirkby Town Centre, and we’re looking for a muralist to lead the way!</div>
<div></div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a">
<div>We are excited to support proposals from artists that are ambitious, exciting, and set the tone for the energising developments that will be happening in Kirkby in the coming years.</div>
</div>
<div class="x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a">
<div>This mural will be informed by a period of engagement with local voices, resulting in a public artwork that is colourful and joyful, and celebrates diversity, pride, and community.</div>
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<ul>
<li>Artist Fee: £3,750 (this fee is for your time and creative input) An additional budget will be provided to cover all project-related expenses, including materials, scaffolding, licenses, and any other expenses.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Project timeline: 21 July - Sept 2025</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Application Deadline: Monday 7th July, 10am</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Interviews: w.c. Monday 14 July</li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div>We strongly encourage applications from artists with a connection to Ashfield, or to any of the communities, cultures, and histories present in the area.</div>
<div></div>
<div>You can read the full brief and <a href="https://ashfieldcreates.co.uk/kirkby-mural-project-call-out/">apply here</a> - <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" tabindex="0" href="https://ashfieldcreates.co.uk/kirkby-mural-project-call-out/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwbDVDS0R2d0J2SFM1ek1OSAEe3m1bDxXs7yl1DPy9jQ46sMJaUt8yMkjpDS2WAWqBzqdez5_QYBTbdkIdyj4_aem_YSKhbhays89Cez152SDxLw" target="_blank" class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n x18oe1m7 x1sy0etr xstzfhl x972fbf x10w94by x1qhh985 x14e42zd x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x14z9mp xat24cr x1lziwak xexx8yu xyri2b x18d9i69 x1c1uobl x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xkrqix3 x1sur9pj x1fey0fg x1s688f">https://ashfieldcreates.co.uk/kirkby-mural-project-call-out/</a></div>
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Ashfield Creates are bringing bold new street art to Kirkby Town Centre, and they're looking for a muralist to lead the way!

<p>Now is the time to nominate community heroes to get the recognition they deserve at the Discover Ashfield Awards 2025.</p>
<p>Discover Ashfield, alongside Ashfield District Council, is looking for people to nominate their community champions, businesses that go that extra mile and projects that make a real difference.</p>
<p>The categories for this year are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Outstanding Organisation</li>
<li>Phenomenal Project</li>
<li>Community Champion</li>
<li>Place to Visit</li>
<li>Business of the Year</li>
<li>Brilliant Start-Up Business</li>
<li>Best High Street Business</li>
<li>Best Skills Provider</li>
<li>Best Employment Support Provider &nbsp;</li>
<li>Made in Ashfield (Young Person Award)</li>
<li>Made in Ashfield (Teacher/Mentor Award)</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/discover-ashfield-awards-2025" title="DA Award full details"><span class="button-highlight">Click here for the full Discover Ashfield awards website</span></a></p>

Past News