Eastbourne Tourism and Hospitality Businesses Urged To Access Funding

Time is running out for tourism and hospitality businesses to apply for funding to help the visitor economy recover from the pandemic.

South East Local Enterprise Partnership has launched a support programme called ‘The Revi-VE – South East Visitor Economy Fund’ which is a 100% grant fund, providing between £1,000 and £3,000 per project for at least 150 businesses across the region.

The grants will focus on driving innovation and helping organisations to adapt or diversify their model to meet new trends and consumer behaviours in a post-Covid world.

Examples of the types of projects that would be considered for this funding include – but are not limited to – changes in operations in order to continue functioning in some capacity during restrictions (e.g. online booking software or online, virtual experiences), adaptations to increase visitor capacity (e.g. investment in outdoor spaces) or adaptations to improve consumer confidence (e.g. equipment needed to deliver an exciting new visitor experience).

Businesses are encouraged to start looking at the funding criteria and preparing applications now, in order to ensure that this fund is the right fit for them.

Councillor David Tutt said:

“There is a very short window for applications to be submitted so I urge local hotels, restaurants, attractions and other tourism businesses to take action now in order to benefit from the funding available.

“Eastbourne is one of the most popular seaside destinations in the country but since Covid-19 struck in March 2020, our tourism and hospitality industry has endured the toughest trading period in a generation with lockdown imposed for much of that time.

“The council has been doing all it can to support local businesses through this very challenging time and I am confident of our full recovery from the pandemic.

“However, it is important for our successful regrowth that we take advantage of all opportunities and funding available, and I would encourage all eligible businesses to make the most of this extra support.”

Applications open at 9am tomorrow (Thursday), July 15, and run until 11.59pm on Sunday, July 18.

For more information on the ‘Revi-VE – South East Visitor Economy Fund’ and to find out whether your business is eligible, please visit: https://southeastbusiness.org.uk/revive/.