Love Your High Street Funding Continues To Support East Riding Businesses

Since relaunching the Love Your High Street fund in April 2020, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has helped more businesses, local town/parish councils and organisations by offering grants of up to £10,000 (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund might be used to support a new business venture, innovative projects that help create the high street as a destination, the diversification of a high street/rural business – for example, an activity to help the business retain a high street presence, such as creating an online offer, or a new delivery service. The Fund has also supported projects that will help prepare a business to recover after the COVID crisis.

Applications are still welcome from businesses, property owners, Town and Parish Councils, event organisers; or business groups who are collaborating to make a difference on their high street. This might be something physical, or just a great idea which creates a stronger high street presence and community, a project that supports the ethos of developing a great place in the East Riding.

To date, a total of 165 applications have been approved, with funding still available for new applicants.

The Westwood Restaurant in Beverley received is one of those businesses. They were given a grant of £3,000 to enable them to cover an outdoor seating area so diners could use it for more time during the year.

Michele Barker, from The Westwood Restaurant in Beverley, said:

“Being able to cover our terrace area of the restaurant has helped to put at ease those customers who are still nervous about being indoors due to COVID. These customers now feel safe during their time with us and we’ve received some fantastic praise for it. This would not have been possible without the Love Your High Street grant.”

Also in Beverley Everything But The Dog received a grant of £10,000. This was to go towards the cost of converting an empty premises in Beverley to a dog spa and boutique.

Cllr Jane Evison, portfolio holder for economic development and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:

“The Love Your High Street Fund is making a real difference in supporting East Riding businesses to not only recover from the pandemic but also to flourish and prosper after the restrictions. This funding provides an excellent opportunity for businesses to get some much-needed financial support and it has been great to see a number of the improvements made so far to the successful applicants.”

For more information about the fund, or to apply for a grant, please visit www.loveyourhighstreet.co.uk