The Growth Support Kickstart Team is delighted to announce that businesses operating in the tourism sector are invited to apply for the second round of the Kickstart Grant Scheme when the application window re-opens at midday on Monday (21 September).
After the initial allocation of funding, the Kickstart Team has £197,000 remaining for eligible tourism sector businesses located within the Heart of the South West LEP area which includes Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
The application window opens on Monday (21 September) at 12pm midday. It will close on Tuesday 22 September at 6pm. Grants will be awarded to eligible applicants who meet the sector criteria on a first come, first served basis according to the date and time of submission.
Tourism sector businesses are encouraged to carefully read the information and guidance available on the Kickstart Grant page before making their application. Due to the limited funding pot remaining, not all applications will be successful, and applications submitted outside of the application window will not be accepted.
Many eligible businesses have already benefited from the Grant Scheme, including a performing arts company who received £1,800 of funding to obtain digital marketing support and an accommodation provider who received £2,200 to develop their website and purchase relevant digital equipment.
Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills, said: “The Kickstart Grants have proven extremely popular, and with the window for applications re-opening for tourism businesses it’s a good opportunity for businesses in that sector to apply if they missed the deadline last time around. This funding could make a big difference in helping businesses to recover from the economic challenges we’re currently facing.”
Karl Tucker, Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We welcome this extra opportunity for our tourism businesses to apply for funding. It provides businesses with another chance to get further support, to invest in their business and adapt to meet new needs. We are strongly encouraging eligible businesses across the Heart of the South West to submit an application. Our Growth Hub team is doing everything it can for our business community and this scheme is another part of a wider business support package.”
About the Kickstart Grant Scheme:
From the 21 September, tourism sector businesses will once again be able to make a single application for a grant of between £1,000 and £3,000 to fund the purchase of:
• Specialist consultancy;
• Minor items that enable the business to adopt new technology that supports its day to day running costs;
• Minor items that enable the business to adapt existing technology that supports its day to day running costs.
If a business applied to the first round, but after the first application window closed on 3 September, they are encouraged to re-submit their application.
Businesses can apply via the online application form or by completing the PDF application form which are available on the Kickstart Grants page on the Growth Hub website. All completed PDF applications must be emailed directly to the Kickstart Grants Team at Support.bsi@devon.gov.uk
If applicants have any questions prior to the 21 September, they should refer to the Information and Guidance sheet and the FAQ available online or email Support.bsi@devon.gov.uk
The ERDF Heart of the South West Growth Support Programme was established in 2017 and is now delivered alongside the Heart of the Southwest Growth Hub by Devon County Council. The Heart of the Southwest Growth Hub has been selected to support the delivery of the Growth Support Kickstart Grants to the HotSW LEP business community, in addition to its existing support offer which provides an initial 3-hour business needs diagnostic followed by a choice of business support modules. This is part of a wider business support package across the HotSW which includes the Growth Hub and is also supported by the HotSW LEP Partnership, The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government though its Growth Deal funding.
