£10m fund for small businesses to kickstart tourism

The government has announced small businesses in tourist destinations will be able to apply for grants of up to £5,000 to help them adapt their businesses following the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking at the Local Government Association’s annual conference, local government minister Simon Clarke confirmed the new funding will be distributed to communities immediately to kick start tourism in time for the summer as part of the government’s drive to boost the recovery of the economy.

The £10m Kick-Starting Tourism Package is supported by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 to 2020.

Businesses can use the funding to pay for specialist professional advice such as human resources, legal or financial expertise, to adopt new technology and online systems or to purchase new equipment. All of the money will come from central government with no obligation for businesses to contribute financially.

The minister also used his speech to pay tribute to local leaders and frontline workers for their ‘tireless efforts’in responding to and tackling coronavirus.

And he confirmed the government would publish its devolution white paper this autumn.

‘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,’ said Mr Clarke.

‘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.’