The Help To Grow: Digital scheme closes on 2nd February

The Government has announced it is going to close its Help To Grow: Digital scheme, bringing forth the initial end date to apply from December 2025, citing a lack of up-take.

The discount offered to businesses as part of the Help To Grow initiative will close to new business applications on 2nd February 2023.

The Help to Grow: Digital programme was designed to give 100,000 SMEs free and impartial advice on how technology can help their business and vouchers worth up to £5,000 to cover up to 50% of the costs of buying pre-approved software. Despite a marketing campaign, expanded eligibility of the scheme and positive feedback from users of the scheme, it did not have the take up expected, with less than 1,000 vouchers redeemed by SMEs.

The HGDS is a Government backed scheme which enables eligible businesses, across the whole of the UK, to obtain a discount of up to 50% on approved software up to a maximum of £5,000 (excluding VAT).

The scheme has supported businesses to grow, but with take-up lower than expected, the government cannot justify the continued cost of the scheme to the taxpayer. The decision has been taken to refocus efforts towards other support mechanisms for small businesses, ensuring businesses get the backing they need in the most efficient and productive way possible.

The programme will close to new business applications for discounts on 2 February 2023. Discounts issued for eligible software must be redeemed within 30 days from issue date.

Andrew James of James, Stanley and Co and the Catering Accounting Company have provided a breakdown of all necessary details surrounding the scheme, laying out exactly how it works and how you can benefit from it in this document.

You can read the full Government announcement regarding the scheme here. For more feature articles and relevant hospitality industry news click here.