Winchester candy shop, the Sweet Treat Company, is the first business to be awarded a start-up grant by the city council, but they won’t be getting it all at once.

The new shop, near the railway station, has received the first part of a £1,000 grant and, providing it meets all the criteria, which include drawing up a business plan, it can collect the second instalment in six months.

Director, Kristian Price, said the funding would be invested in marketing its range of confectionery to more people by making better use of the intrnet.

“This grant will really help us move forward with our marketing activities,” he said. “We are grateful for the support of both Business Link and Winchester City Council and look forward to many years of fruitful business in the city.”

The council has allocated funds for start-up grants as part of its recession-busting activities and it is keen to encourage entrepreneurship to sustain a healthy and diverse local economy during the economic downturn.

Other measures include training, marketing, rate relief and providing jobs for the long-term unemployed through the Future Jobs Fund.

Council leader, George Beckett, said: “The Sweet Treat Company has added to Winchester’s appeal as a destination for speciality shopping.

“They are a very worthy candidate for our start-up business grant and we look forward to watching their success over the coming months.We are hoping to fund more new businesses under this grant scheme, and continue to encourage new applicants.”

Business Link’s Deborah Wyatt added: “We are delighted to be working with Winchester City Council to help local entrepreneurs.

Our advisers will help applicants with business plans and ensure that they have a viable enterprise to present to the council for a start-up grant.

To find out more about Winchester City Council grant schemes, visit www.winchester.

gov.uk/businessgrants, e-mail kcrawford@winchester.gov.uk or telephone 01962 848 563.