South Norfolk: Tourism grants now available

Grants are now available to help businesses adapt their premises to meet up to half of the cost of the new social distancing and hygiene requirements. This adaption grant can be claimed on money spent since June 23 2020.

The Tourism Business COVID-19 Adaption Grants range from £250 to £2,500. It is part of a package of measures being led by Norfolk County Council, the county’s seven district councils and Visit East of England worth more than £2million pounds.

The money has come from the Norfolk Strategic Fund set up by the district and county councils, together with the New Anglia LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) to support the recovery of the area following the aftermath of COVID-19.

A second fund will be launched mid-August to enable tourism businesses to extend their season into autumn and winter where they are unable to do so at present. This fund has been created as part of an effort to bring additional tourism back to businesses at a time when they would not normally have been operating or is outside their traditional visitor season.

The tourism industry in Norfolk has been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and businesses have missed out on significant holiday periods across the early part of 2020. A report by South Norfolk Council in 2017 said almost 4,000 jobs in the district and more than 1200 businesses are in the tourism sector. This contributes more than £212 million pounds into the local economy.

Cabinet member for Stronger Economy, Councillor Lisa Neal said businesses were having to adapt to survive.

Cllr Neal said:

“It is only right we do all we can to support our tourism businesses. They are vital to the economy of our district. These grants will go some way to helping fund the extra expense businesses have had at a time when they were already struggling because of the pandemic. They will also reassure visitors and local residents the correct measures are in place to protect them and they can enjoy the beautiful places we, in South Norfolk, have to offer once more.”

For further information on either of the grants please visit the South Norfolk Council website.