RURAL businesses in the Lutterworth area are being encouraged to apply for funding to help them diversify, innovate and grow.
Eligible applicants can benefit from grants between £5,000-£20,000 through Harborough Districy Council’s (HDC) Rural Grant Scheme.
The council wants to support projects which will help local businesses and the wider economy and community.
The scheme spans across four themes.
Farm Business Diversification helps farm businesses diversify outside of agricultural activities.
Innovate and Grow supports micro and small enterprises in rural areas looking to deliver projects which help to overcome a rural issue or barrier they face in order to grow.
Green Technology helps businesses invest in green technology which will improve their carbon footprint.
And Rural Tourism provides grants to develop local tourism attractions, facilities, or infrastructure.
Edward Brown of The Kings Head pub in Smeeton, which received a grant last year, said: “Being awarded a grant has helped the business grow. It has allowed us to completely transform an underused, environmentally inefficient space into a flexible room that provides additional seating for events, meals and a cafe. This, we hope, will allow us to provide a better level of service to the community.
“The pub stopped serving food nearly five years ago, so being able to provide appropriate space is a big step forward for us.”
HDC Deputy Leader Coun Simon Galton said: “We are delighted to support rural businesses in the Harborough district with growth and development. We want rural businesses to do well so I encourage them to go online and apply.”
Applications close on September 27. Visit www.harborough.gov.uk/rural-grants for more information.
