Great Yarmouth Borough Council begins to distribute £600,000 in grants for local businesses and organisations

The grants - which are for sums of up to £100,000 - have been funded by the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund and are designed to catalyse investment in growth and efficiency by rural businesses, boost community infrastructure, support arts and culture and enhance sport and leisure participation.

Coupled with successful applicants' own contributions towards supported projects, it means there will be a total investment of about £1.5m for the borough across 24 projects.

Councillor Daniel Candon, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Economic Development and Growth, said: ''Our businesses and community organisations face a range of challenges in the current economic environment and we are delighted these grants are now providing meaningful financial support to grow and develop the local economy in Great Yarmouth.''

''The grants offered a number of opportunities for funding and we were extremely pleased with the interest and volume of applications we received. We know the money and support will make a real difference and we will continue to offer support to our small businesses who remain the backbone of our local economy.''

£400,000 has been allocated via The Rural Business Support Grant (RBSG) to provide successful applicants with financial assistance to help them grow, improve resilience or extend their reach and impact.

The RBSG has enabled organisations to improve the viability of community assets and infrastructure and the grants are also supporting projects which enhance rural tourism or boost manufacturing and food/drink producers.

Among the successful projects which will be delivered as a result of one of the rural grants is the renovation of a redundant building to create an exhibition centre, a new workshop and a gift shop. The improvements will not only create additional jobs, but also provide new amenities for residents, tourists, schools and disabled organisations.

Grants have also enabled investment in new equipment to allow a local food producer to grow capacity and production, fulfil larger orders and create new jobs.

In addition, a number of local organisations have benefited from a Culture Support Grant or Sports and Wellbeing Grant - up to a maximum of £20,000 - to help them thrive and increase participation. Local businesses, charities and other organisations involved in arts, culture and heritage were able to apply for the grant.

Those that applied successfully include an organisation providing community-produced exhibitions showcasing local artists, and a project to transform outside space and gardens for learning and events.

Other successful applicants include a community group which won funding to develop its range of events, workshops and activities and provide more accessibility resources, such as ramps and headsets.

And the grants have also provided capital funding for the refurbishment of a Grade II-listed building, with the aim of maximising community use alongside additional commercial events.

A number of organisations have also been offered a Sports and Wellbeing Grant towards projects that support grassroots and community-focused leisure, sport and wellbeing to improve amenities that help increase participation in sport and physical activity.

All of the grants are conditional on all projects being delivered by the end of March 2025.

·      The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus