Council awards business grant to local entrepreneur
Test Valley Borough Council has awarded a Business Incentive Grant of £750 to Eloise Hawkins, founder of S.FE Safety Glasses, an innovative online business dedicated to transforming protective eyewear for tradespeople.
Eloise, who previously worked as a buyer for B&Q and returned to the UK after living in Australia, launched her business to make safety glasses more attractive and comfortable, while also caring for the environment by using recycled materials. Her husband, Lee Fenna, is a fellow director of S.FE and brings practical expertise as an electrician. Lee has played a key role in testing the products to ensure they meet the highest standards. The products have already received excellent feedback, with many customers returning after their first purchase.
Speaking about the grant, Eloise said: “We are delighted to have received a grant from Test Valley Borough Council. S.FE safety glasses are revolutionising safety eye protection, transforming PPE into something you want to wear, all while caring for the environment by utilising recycled materials. This grant allows us to enhance our market visibility, enabling us to protect more eyes with our safety glasses.”
Eloise plans to use the grant to improve her online presence, focusing on social media and website development to reach more customers and grow her brand.
Councillors Alan and Celia Dowden added: “We are thrilled to support Eloise and her innovative business through the Business Incentive Grant. It’s fantastic to see local entrepreneurs creating products that combine safety, sustainability and style. We look forward to seeing S.FE Safety Glasses go from strength to strength.”
Test Valley Borough Council is committed to supporting local businesses through various initiatives and grants. The Business Incentive Grant is designed to help new businesses located in Test Valley achieve their goals and contribute to the local economy. You must apply for the grant within eight weeks of starting to trade, and the Council will award the money once you have been up and running for a minimum of six months.