Since lockdown, GFirst LEP have been continuously working with the Government and local authorities in order to aid Gloucestershire business and communities in their recovery post Covid-19.
There are two new grant schemes due to start in September to help do this. Find out more about each scheme below and sign-up for alerts on the application process.
Kick-starting SME Recovery Grant Scheme
Small and medium sized businesses will have access to up to £3,000 to help them access new technology and other equipment as well as professional, legal, financial or other advice to help them get back on track.
It comes on top of an unprecedented package of Government support to help businesses to recover, including the £2 billion Kick-start Scheme which will create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country, as well as £1.6 billion invested in scaling up employment support schemes, training and apprenticeships to help people looking for a job.
The support will be fully funded by the government from the England European Regional Development Fund and distributed through the Growth Hub.
To be alerted when the applications open, leave your details on this simple form.
Kick-starting Tourism Recovery Grant Scheme
The £10 million Kick-starting Tourism Package, will give small businesses in tourist destinations grants to help them adapt their businesses following the coronavirus pandemic.
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. 100% of the grant will come from the government with no obligation for businesses to contribute financially.
The Kick-starting Tourism Package within Gloucestershire will be administered through the Growth Hub.
To be notified of when applications open, please leave your contact details on the form here.
Business Tool Kit
In addition to these grant schemes GFirst LEP have reviewed the wealth of information, advice and guidance provided during lockdown and, taking that as a base, developed a methodology that businesses of all sizes (from start-ups to SMEs and large companies) could apply as a road map for post-pandemic recovery. In designing this toolkit they recognised that businesses would be looking for quick, easy-to-apply solutions requiring minimal resources for implementation but offering maximum benefit. View the Business Tool Kit here.