Possibly. There is no single UK-wide grant specifically for brewery tanks, but some local business grants, rural grants and food and drink manufacturing schemes may support equipment purchases. Eligibility usually depends on your location, business size, project aims and whether the scheme supports capital equipment.
Looking for Grants for Your Production Process?
In this guide, we've gathered as much information as we can to help you find grants and funding whether you're just starting out, or planning an expansion. We will periodically update this article to ensure everything outlined in this guide is current.
Investing in new production equipment can be a major step for breweries, wineries, cider makers, distilleries and other food and drink producers. Stainless steel tanks, fermentation vessels, storage tanks, process vessels, packaging equipment and associated production upgrades can all require significant upfront investment.
Depending on where your business is based, what you produce and how the equipment will improve your operation, grant funding or business support may be available.
This guide brings together some of the main UK grant schemes and support routes that may be relevant to producers investing in equipment, including stainless steel tanks and processing vessels.
Grant availability changes regularly, and many schemes are delivered locally. Always check the latest guidance before applying or placing an order.
Important: check before ordering equipment
Many grant schemes will not fund equipment that has already been ordered, paid for or committed to before written approval is received.
Before purchasing new tanks or production equipment, check the rules of the relevant scheme and speak to the grant provider. In many cases, you will need to submit quotes, technical specifications and a project plan before approval.
Find out more about how we can help
Quick guide to UK equipment grants and support
| Scheme or support route | Best suited to | Location | Could it support equipment purchases? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural England Prosperity Fund | Rural SMEs, farm diversification, rural producers | England | Often, depending on local authority rules |
| UK Shared Prosperity Fund / local business grants | SMEs investing in growth, productivity or sustainability | UK-wide, locally delivered | Often, depending on the local scheme |
| Food Business Accelerator Scheme | Food and drink processors | Wales | Yes, where the project meets the scheme criteria |
| Food and Drink Processing Scheme | Food and drink processors | Scotland | Yes, for eligible capital projects |
| Agri-Food Investment Initiative | Agri-food and drink processors | Northern Ireland | Potentially, for transformative capital investment |
| Farming Equipment and Technology Fund | Farmers, growers, vineyards and agricultural businesses | England | Only for eligible listed items |
| Made Smarter | Manufacturers adopting digital technology | UK, regionally delivered | Sometimes, usually for digital or automation projects |
| Innovate UK funding | Innovative businesses developing new products or processes | UK-wide | Usually for R&D and innovation, not standard purchases |
1. Rural England Prosperity Fund, or REPF
The Rural England Prosperity Fund is one of the most relevant grant routes for many rural breweries, vineyards, cider makers, distilleries and farm diversification projects.
REPF is an England-only fund delivered through local authorities. It is designed to support rural businesses and communities, and the Government confirmed an extension for the 2025 to 2026 financial year.
For food and drink producers, this can be particularly useful because many local REPF schemes focus on capital investment. Depending on the council, this may include equipment, premises improvements, productivity upgrades or the development of new products and facilities.
Some local schemes have offered significant capital grants. For example, Wealden District Council’s REPF scheme offered grants of up to £35,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs for rural SMEs looking to grow, diversify and innovate.
Who could this help?
REPF may be relevant if you are:
- A rural brewery investing in new brewing or storage capacity
- A vineyard or winery purchasing production equipment
- A cider maker upgrading tanks, processing equipment or packaging facilities
- A farm-based distillery diversifying into spirits production
- A food or drink producer based in a rural area
What could it potentially support?
Depending on the local rules, REPF may help with:
- Stainless steel tanks
- Fermentation vessels
- Storage tanks
- Processing equipment
- Packaging equipment
- Production upgrades
- Rural business diversification
- Improvements to productivity, capacity or efficiency
Because REPF is delivered locally, eligibility can vary significantly between council areas. The first step is to check your local authority website or contact your local Growth Hub.
2. UK Shared Prosperity Fund and local business grants
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, often shortened to UKSPF, is another important route to check. It is not a single national equipment grant that every business can apply for. Instead, funding is delivered through local authorities, combined authorities and local business support organisations.
The Government’s UKSPF guidance explains how the fund is delivered through local areas, which means the support available depends heavily on where your business is based. Use the Gov website search to find what is offered in your local area.
For breweries, wineries, cider makers and distilleries, UKSPF-funded local grants may be relevant where a project supports business growth, productivity, job creation, sustainability or new product development.
Who could this help?
UKSPF and local growth grants may be suitable for:
- SMEs investing in new production capacity
- Food and drink manufacturers looking to improve productivity
- Businesses creating jobs or expanding into new markets
- Producers investing in more efficient equipment
- Businesses upgrading premises or production facilities
What could it potentially support?
Depending on your area, local grant schemes may support:
- Capital equipment
- Production machinery
- Energy efficiency improvements
- Digital systems
- Premises improvements
- Consultancy or business support
- Training and productivity improvements
Because these grants are local, two similar businesses in different counties may have access to completely different support. It is worth checking your local council, Growth Hub and combined authority websites regularly.
3. GOV.UK Find a Grant and business finance support
For any UK business beginning its funding search, two useful starting points are the Government’s Find a Grant service and the GOV.UK business finance support finder.
The Find a Grant service lists public sector grant opportunities, while the business finance support finder allows businesses to search for grants, loans, advice and other support by location and business type.
These tools are useful because grant funding is fragmented. Some opportunities are national, while others are only available in specific local authority areas or regions.
Who could this help?
These services are useful for almost any producer, including:
- Breweries
- Wineries
- Vineyards
- Cider makers
- Distilleries
- Soft drinks manufacturers
- Food processors
- Farm diversification businesses
What should you search for?
Useful search terms may include:
- Food and drink manufacturing grants
- Equipment grants
- Rural business grants
- Manufacturing grants
- Capital grants
- Business growth grants
- Productivity grants
- Energy efficiency grants
4. Food Business Accelerator Scheme, Wales
For food and drink producers in Wales, the Food Business Accelerator Scheme is one of the most relevant funding routes to check.
The Welsh Government describes the scheme as support for tangible and intangible investments in processing activities that offer clear and quantifiable benefits to the food and drink industry in Wales and its supply chains.
The scheme is designed to improve performance, competitiveness, sustainability and efficiency, and to support businesses responding to consumer demand, diversification and new markets. Find out more here.
Who could this help?
This scheme may be relevant to Welsh:
- Breweries
- Wineries
- Cider makers
- Distilleries
- Food processors
- Drinks manufacturers
- Producers investing in processing or production capacity
What could it potentially support?
Where eligible, it may support investment in:
- Processing equipment
- Production upgrades
- Efficiency improvements
- Sustainability improvements
- Equipment linked to new products or new markets
- Essential capital assets required for the proposed activity
As with all grant schemes, the project must meet the specific rules of the current funding window.
5. Food and Drink Processing Scheme, Scotland
For Scottish food and drink producers, the Food and Drink Processing Scheme is a key route to monitor.
The Scottish Government announced support for the food and drink industry in March 2026, with grants of up to £400,000 to help businesses improve, expand and attract further investment.
Scotland Food & Drink describes the scheme as offering match-funded capital grants for projects that increase productivity, improve efficiency and invest in new equipment and technology.
Who could this help?
This may be relevant to Scottish:
- Breweries
- Distilleries
- Wineries
- Cider makers
- Food and drink processors
- Manufacturers investing in productivity or efficiency
What could it potentially support?
Eligible projects may include:
- New production equipment
- Processing equipment
- Efficiency improvements
- Technology investment
- Capacity expansion
- Productivity improvements
Application windows, deadlines and eligibility rules should always be checked directly with Scotland Food & Drink or the Scottish Government.
6. Agri-Food Investment Initiative, Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the Agri-Food Investment Initiative is a relevant funding route for eligible food and drink processors.
Invest NI says the initiative supports Northern Ireland food and drink processors, from SMEs to larger agri-food businesses that process Annex I products.
The Department for the Economy has described the initiative as a scheme to improve the competitiveness and productivity of the agri-food and drink processing sector in Northern Ireland.
Who could this help?
This may be relevant to Northern Ireland businesses involved in:
- Agri-food processing
- Drinks production
- Food manufacturing
- Capital investment projects
- Growth and productivity improvements
What could it potentially support?
Depending on the project and eligibility criteria, support may be available for capital investment linked to:
- Processing capacity
- New machinery
- Efficiency improvements
- Competitiveness
- Growth
- Innovation
- New product development
Businesses should check the latest Invest NI guidance before applying.
7. Farming Equipment and Technology Fund
The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, or FETF, is mainly relevant for farmers, growers, vineyards, orchards and agricultural businesses. It is not a general brewery or distillery equipment grant.
The 2026 FETF round is now closed, but the scheme is still worth monitoring because future rounds may become available. The 2026 scheme included grants to help businesses buy items that improve productivity, manage slurry, and improve animal health and welfare.
Who could this help?
FETF may be relevant to:
- Vineyards
- Orchards
- Farm-based cider makers
- Agricultural businesses
- Growers
- Farm diversification projects
What could it potentially support?
FETF usually supports specific listed items rather than any equipment a business chooses to buy. That means it may not cover stainless steel tanks unless the equipment is included in the relevant scheme list.
For vineyards, orchards and farm-based producers, it is still worth checking because some agricultural or productivity equipment may be eligible in future rounds.
8. Made Smarter
Made Smarter supports UK manufacturers with digital transformation. It is not usually a straightforward tank grant, but it could be relevant where a production project includes automation, monitoring, digital control systems or smart manufacturing technology.
Made Smarter says it helps manufacturing SMEs digitalise their processes, with support and grant funding for digital transformation projects.
Who could this help?
Made Smarter may be relevant to:
- Breweries adopting digital production systems
- Food and drink manufacturers using automation
- Producers investing in sensors, monitoring or data systems
- Businesses looking to improve productivity through technology
- Manufacturers adopting Industry 4.0 systems
What could it potentially support?
Depending on the region and programme, Made Smarter support may include:
- Digital transformation advice
- Technology roadmapping
- Automation support
- Production monitoring systems
- Software or hardware linked to digital manufacturing
- Grant funding for eligible digital projects
This may be especially relevant where tanks or processing equipment form part of a wider automated or digitally monitored production system.
9. Innovate UK funding
Innovate UK funding is generally aimed at businesses developing genuinely innovative products, services, processes or technologies. It is unlikely to fund a standard equipment purchase on its own, but it may be relevant if the equipment forms part of a wider research and development project.
The Innovation Funding Service lists current competitions for UK organisations, including Innovate UK and UKRI funding opportunities.
Who could this help?
Innovate UK funding may be suitable for businesses working on:
- New production processes
- New product development
- Research and development
- Food and drink innovation
- Sustainability innovation
- Collaboration with universities or research partners
- Novel manufacturing technologies
What could it potentially support?
Depending on the competition, funding may support:
- R&D projects
- Feasibility studies
- Prototype development
- Collaborative innovation
- New technologies
- Process innovation
For most businesses simply looking to purchase tanks, a local capital grant or rural business grant is likely to be more relevant. However, for genuinely innovative projects, Innovate UK is worth checking.
10. Food and Drink Federation funding resources
The Food and Drink Federation tracks funding and grant opportunities for food and drink manufacturing businesses across the UK. Its funding grid includes open and upcoming opportunities, although some resources may be member-only.
This can be a useful additional resource for food and drink producers who want to monitor sector-specific funding.
Need a quote to support your funding application?
Grants by business type
Grants for breweries
Breweries looking to invest in stainless steel tanks, fermentation vessels, conditioning tanks, bright beer tanks, storage tanks or packaging equipment should start by checking local grant schemes.
The most relevant routes are likely to be:
- Rural England Prosperity Fund, if the brewery is in an eligible rural area
- UKSPF-funded local business grants
- Local Growth Hub support
- Made Smarter, if the project involves automation or digital production technology
- Devolved food and drink schemes in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
A strong brewery grant application will usually explain how the equipment will increase capacity, improve quality, reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, create jobs or support new products.
Grants for wineries and vineyards
Wineries and vineyards may have several possible funding routes, depending on whether the project relates to agriculture, processing, tourism, rural diversification or food and drink manufacturing.
Relevant schemes may include:
- Rural England Prosperity Fund
- UKSPF local business grants
- Defra farming and rural grants
- Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, where eligible items are listed
- Food Business Accelerator Scheme in Wales
- Food and Drink Processing Scheme in Scotland
For winery equipment such as stainless steel tanks, variable capacity tanks, fermentation vessels and processing equipment, the most relevant grants are often capital investment, rural business or food processing schemes.
Grants for cider makers
Cider makers may be eligible for support through rural business grants, food and drink manufacturing schemes or agricultural routes, particularly where the business is connected to orchards or farm diversification.
Relevant routes may include:
- Rural England Prosperity Fund
- UKSPF local business grants
- Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, where applicable
- Food Business Accelerator Scheme in Wales
- Food and Drink Processing Scheme in Scotland
- Local Growth Hub support
Equipment projects could include fermentation tanks, storage tanks, pressing equipment, processing vessels, packaging equipment or production upgrades.
Grants for distilleries
Distilleries investing in new equipment may be able to access support through local business growth grants, rural business schemes or food and drink processing funds.
Relevant routes may include:
- Rural England Prosperity Fund
- UKSPF local business grants
- Food and Drink Processing Scheme in Scotland
- Food Business Accelerator Scheme in Wales
- Agri-Food Investment Initiative in Northern Ireland
- Made Smarter, where digital production technology is involved
A strong distillery application should focus on the business impact of the investment, such as increased production capacity, improved efficiency, new product development, export potential or job creation.
What information might you need before applying?
Most equipment grant applications require supporting information. Before applying, it is worth preparing:
- A clear project summary
- Recent supplier quotes
- Equipment specifications
- Evidence of match funding
- Business accounts or financial forecasts
- Details of how the project will improve productivity, capacity or efficiency
- Expected job creation or business growth
- Environmental or energy-saving benefits
- Planning permission or landlord consent, where relevant
- Confirmation that you have not already ordered or paid for the equipment
For tank and vessel projects, you may also be asked for technical details such as capacity, material grade, intended use, fittings, dimensions, delivery requirements and installation details.
How SSP can support your grant application
At Stainless Steel Products, we supply stainless steel tanks and process vessels for breweries, wineries, cider makers, distilleries and food and drink producers across the UK.
If you are preparing a grant application, we can provide clear supporting information for your equipment project, including:
- Formal quotations
- Tank specifications
- Capacity and dimensional details
- Material information
- Product descriptions
- Supporting technical information
- Options for fittings, outlets, legs, lids, jackets and other features
We regularly work with producers investing in new equipment and understand that grant applications often require clear, detailed and accurate supplier information.
Whether you are expanding production, improving efficiency, launching a new product or replacing unsuitable equipment, we can help you specify stainless steel tanks and vessels that suit your process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Potentially. Wineries and vineyards may be eligible for rural business grants, local growth grants, food processing schemes or agricultural funding, depending on the project. Stainless steel tanks may be eligible where the scheme supports processing equipment or production capacity.
Possibly. Distilleries may be able to access local business growth grants, rural business grants or devolved food and drink processing schemes. The project will usually need to show wider benefits, such as growth, productivity, job creation, innovation or efficiency improvements.
Usually not. Many grants will not fund equipment that has already been ordered, purchased or paid for before approval. Always check the scheme rules before committing to a purchase.
Most equipment grants are match-funded, meaning the business must contribute part of the cost. For example, a scheme might cover a percentage of eligible costs, with the business funding the remainder. The exact percentage varies by scheme.
Start by checking:
- Your local council website
- Your local Growth Hub
- GOV.UK Find a Grant
- GOV.UK business finance support
- Relevant devolved government schemes if you are based in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland
You can then speak to suppliers for quotes and technical specifications to support your application.