Apply Now for £10,500 to Invest in Your Business
Application Deadline: 5am, 17th November 2026
Where to Apply: Click here.
American Express is bringing back its international grant scheme for independent restaurants for a fifth year. Restaurants across Greater London and Greater Manchester are invited to apply.
A total of 20 eligible restaurants of community significance across both Manchester and London will each receive a grant of up to £10,500 to enhance their business operations and the experience for diners in the months ahead. Kingston First is working with the IDA Foundation and the Association of Town and City Management to distribute the funds to great businesses.
What the Grant is For:
The grant must be used towards critical business needs that support the restaurant for long-term business sustainability. Potential uses could include critical improvements needed to sustain the business operations such as enhancing digital capabilities, building outdoor dining spaces, purchasing new equipment and making other physical improvements.
Information on last year’s winners can be found here.
Who Can Apply
The grant program is focused on independent food businesses based in either Greater London or Greater Manchester areas. Business must:
- Be currently open for business, in operation prior to 1st September, 2025
- Be a registered for-profit business entity in good standing (or equivalent) in the jurisdiction in which it was formed and the city in which it does business (e.g., not an unincorporated contractor or self-employed individual)
- Be a bricks and mortar restaurant, café, bar or pub with food offering, and not part of a franchise with more than 5 locations
- Have an annual revenue in 2025 of less than £1 million GBP.
Restaurants that meet the above criteria will be evaluated on the following. Preference will be given to restaurants that best demonstrate:
- Clear use of grant funds and its impact on the restaurant.
- Ability to deploy grant funds quickly in a 5-month timeframe.
- Demonstrate historic, cultural, or community significance.
- Invest in projects that help restaurants grow, recover, and support their local
communities.
Acceptance of American Express is not a requirement to be considered for the grant.
Prior grant winners of the scheme are not eligible for consideration.
Further Information
Make sure you double check the eligibility criteria before you submit your application. FAQs are available here. The Terms and Conditions are available here. Once you are sure that you meet the eligibility criteria, fill out the application form here.
Please call or message IDA Foundation via Whatsapp at +1 (202) 656-5541, or email Nataly
Cruz-Castillo, IDA Foundation, (nataly@downtown.org) with any questions.
Good luck!
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