Rural businesses urged to apply for funding

The scheme uses money from Wealden District Council’s allocation of the Rural England Prosperity Funding to support businesses with capital funding for projects including the purchase of equipment and machinery, adaptation of premises, the creation or expansion of rural leisure and tourism businesses and farm diversification outside of agriculture.

The programme offers grants of up to £35,000 with 50% match funding to support capital expenditure projects. Seventeen projects have been approved through the scheme to date with three having been delivered already.

There are several businesses within Wealden which have already benefitted from funding received through the programme.

Branching Out Adventures, located near Halland, has purchased and installed a new continuous safety wire, using new technology to make the adventure course more user-friendly and safer.

The UK’s leading children’s nursery catering company, Zebedee’s purchased a new high-capacity industrial dishwasher – which enables cooking equipment and containers to be cleaned quickly and efficiently. The new machine also uses less water and energy to run, reducing the environmental impact and running costs.

Alfriston Woodland Cabins is a family run business which was successful at gaining grant funding to purchase a new shepherds hut – called ‘Owls Nest’ – to add to its existing business to increase guest capacity.  The huts and cabins are situated in private woodlands and orchards in Alfriston within the South Downs National Park – and have recently achieved a gold award through the Green South Downs Award

Councillor Paul Coleshill, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) and lead councillor for Climate Change and Economy, said “Rural businesses are important to Wealden, and we want them to survive. There are only limited funds left so I would urge businesses to apply quickly. The funding given could help businesses succeed, grow and future-proof.”

The Rother and Wealden Business Grants programme is funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund, Rother District Council and Wealden District Council, it is delivered by East Sussex County Council.

Apply now by visiting https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/business/support/grants/ruralbusinessgrants/rural-business-grants-guidance-note or emailing ruralbusinessgrants@eastsussex.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

The Rother and Wealden Rural Business Grants are funded through the UK Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) and are administered by East Sussex County Council.  The Rother and Wealden Rural Business Grants Scheme is not open to those businesses located in Bexhill, Polegate or Stone Cross.  This requirement has been set by Defra.

This programme has received funding from the UK Government through the Rural England Prosperity Fund and creates a rural top up fund to deliver the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK, investing in communities and place and supporting local business. For more information, visit Rural England Prosperity Fund: prospectus – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)