A successful funding scheme has resulted in grants totalling more than £1.3 million being given to businesses, social enterprises and community organisations in Cumberland.
Cumberland Council, with the support of partners, has overseen the allocation of the grants which was received from the Government for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
A variety of schemes were available and were delivered by the council and external partners, working on the council’s behalf.
The following schemes have been allocated the following funding:
- Rural business support and tourism grants from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership: £329,772 grants to 21 businesses.
- Grants for cultural, creative, heritage and leisure organisations and events from Copeland Community Fund: £423,217 grants to 17 organisations.
- Grants for local sports facilities and activities from Copeland Community Fund: £87,100 grants to 8 organisations.
- Grants for improvement to local green spaces from Copeland Community Fund: £95,110 grants to 4 organisations.
- Grants to social enterprises and support to the growth of the rural circular economy from Cumbria Community Foundation working with Cumbria Social Enterprise Partnership: £113,895 grants to 7 social enterprises.
- Grants to organisations providing business growth support from Cumbria Community Foundation: £164,173 grants to 9 organisations.
- Grants to increase digital inclusion, with a focus on essential digital skills, digital confidence and online safety from Cumbria Community Foundation: £45,792 grants to 4 organisations.
- Grants to support impactful volunteering and social actions projects from Cumbria Community Foundation: £66,168 grants to 8 organisations.
Grants of up to £35,000 are still available for landlords and businesses in Cumberland as part of a new High Street Building Grant Scheme. This scheme is ongoing and is still inviting applications at www.cumberland.gov.uk/UKSPF or contact highstreetgrants@cumberland.gov.uk
The High Street Building Grant Scheme has two priorities:
- Priority A will focus on supporting landlords and new or existing businesses taking up an empty property. Giving grants of up to 50% of the costs (max £35,000) of eligible works to improve the property.
- Priority B will focus on support to landlords and new or existing businesses requiring funding to do facelift works to their properties. Grants of 50% of the costs (max £5,000) can be applied for.
Funding is available to landlords and businesses within the centre boundaries of Aspatria, Brampton, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Dalston, Egremont, Keswick, Longtown, Maryport, Millom, Silloth, Whitehaven, Wigton and Workington.
This is a discretionary grant for businesses that can demonstrate that they contribute to the vitality of the high street.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“Dozens of businesses and organisations have benefited from the funding and more than £1.3 million has been granted so far. We would like to thank partners for their support and look forward to seeing these funded schemes develop in the future.”
Cumberland Council has been allocated £10.5 million of UKSPF to spend over three financial years (2022-25) and £2.5 million of REPF to spend over two years (2023-25). Further funding will be available during 2024/25, please watch our press and social media for more information over the next few weeks.