Hospitality, tourism and leisure businesses across Merthyr Tydfil are being urged to act quickly to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to help them bounce back from Covid-19.
Pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels and B&Bs, and sports and leisure, religious and other community building owners can apply for a share of £3 million Welsh Government funding being made available to local authorities to support smaller town centres within the Valleys Taskforce boundary to respond to pandemic regulations.
Funding from the Transforming Towns Programme will cover up to 100% of project costs – but it must be applied for before 20 January.
Types of projects that could be supported include:
- The creation of outdoor trading spaces using awnings, canopies and outdoor heating
- Outdoor tables and seating
- Outdoor screening, bollards and planters
- Outdoor servery facilities
- Small green infrastructure schemes
- Lighting for outdoor trading space
- Courtyard/rear garden improvements
- Internal social distancing measures such as screens
“This is not like last year’s Outdoor Equipment Scheme, which was limited to businesses offering food and drink outdoors,” said Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Public Protection Cllr Geraint Thomas.
“Although those types of establishments can still apply for further funding, this is also aimed at accommodation and activity providers,” he added. “And last year’s grants scheme was restricted to Merthyr Tydfil town centre only, whereas this covers the whole of the county borough – from Pontsticill to Quaker’s Yard and everywhere in between.
“Our businesses have never faced a greater challenge than the one of the past 10 months. I would urge them to apply quickly for this support, which could help kick-start a bright new future.”
- One of the recipients of an award from the Outdoor Equipment Grants scheme was Caffi Soar at Pontmorlais, part of the Canolfan a Theatr Soar complex, which was able to install external heaters, lights and a herb garden.
“The project has enabled the business to utilise our outdoor space during the colder months and continue to provide a safe and friendly space for people to meet over a proper coffee,” said Caffi Soar owner Jamie Bevan.
“In a time when many people still want to meet others but feel safer doing so outside, this project has helped the business, and the wider Canolfan Soar, overcome some of the difficulties faced by the current situation.”
If you want to receive an application form, please contact the Council’s Enterprise Team on [email protected]
Completed applications should be returned to: the Enterprise Team, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Orbit Business Centre, Rhydycar Business Park, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1DL, email: [email protected]
