03.07.20
Gov announces £10m Tourism Package for small businesses
The Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Simon Clarke, has announced a £10m Kick-starting Tourism Package today (July 3) to support the sector in time for summer.
Many communities, who depend on tourism to fuel their local economy, have suffered from the lockdown restrictions in recent months. Today’s funding, announced at the Local Government Association’s annual conference, aims to support small businesses in these communities.
Grants of up to £5,000 will be available for small businesses through the Package, to take financial pressures off as they adapt their business to accommodate the ‘new normal’.
Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Simon Clarke MP said:
“When the Prime Minister announced the New Deal, he made it clear that the government is determined to change the country for the better, uniting and levelling up our regions.
“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.”
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The Funding comes through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and joins a number of ERDF investments to support local areas, including £1m for coastal improvements in Cornwall and £4.2m to help the Lake District cut carbon emissions.
The Minister also confirmed that over £50m ERDF funding for infrastructure projects already in development, will now be accelerated.
Tourist hot-spots, that might otherwise struggle to operate to new guidelines in time for summer, can apply for this funding and ensure their business can thrive in the warmer months.
Coastal and rural areas, who rely more heavily on the tourism economy, will get a larger share of the fund, as the allocation will be based on how much of their employment base is linked to tourism and hospitality.
Activities supported through the £10m grant include events on how to respond to the crisis and small grants to fund specialist advice programmes on areas such as IT/digital, human resources and finances.
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