£10m to Kickstart England’s Small Tourism Firms

£10m to Kickstart England’s Small Tourism Firms

England’s tourism destinations have experienced a significant fall in visitor numbers in recent months, following the coronavirus pandemic. In response, the Government’s new Kick-starting Tourism Package is providing emergency funding to help businesses adapt, ensuring that tourist hot-spots are firmly open for business this summer.

Funding will be allocated to each Local Growth Hub in England, based on how much of their employment base is linked to tourism and hospitality businesses. This means that coastal and rural areas – with a bigger proportion of their economy focused on tourism, hospitality and allied sectors – will get a larger share of the funds.

The programme has an overall budget of £10 million. Small grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 will be offered to help businesses access specialist professional advice, eg human resources, accountants, legal, financial, IT / digital. The money can also be used for purchasing minor equipment to adapt or adopt new technology in order to continue delivering business activities or to diversify.

Small businesses in tourist destinations in England may be eligible. Interested parties are advised to liaise with their Local Growth Hub to discuss accessing a grant through the programme. A map and accompanying list of all the Growth Hubs and their dedicated websites can be accessed via the LEP Network.

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Simon Clarke MP said:

‘Kick-starting domestic tourism will be key to our economic recovery and that is why I am delighted to announce £10 million in new funding for small businesses in tourist destinations, bringing jobs, investment, and financial support to the communities who need it the most.’

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.