Peak District visitor economy firms offered grants of up to £10,000 for COVID-19 recovery projects

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire has retooled an existing funding scheme to support the new business environment.

Grants can be used to develop digital assets such as website development, new photography, the creation of virtual tours and the implementation of cashless payment systems.

The tourist board’s managing director Jo Dilley said: “I'm delighted that we are able to offer this funding through our European Regional Development Fund project.

“Derbyshire’s tourism industry is incredibly important to the local economy and these grants will enable businesses to rebuild and bounce back stronger than ever.”She added: “Grants are available for things such as online booking systems and virtual tours, which are both key in the current climate and will help to enrich the area’s tourism offer and power our recovery plans.

“I would urge businesses to visit the website for more information and get your applications in as soon as possible.”

As well as digitalisation, grants of £1,000 to £10,000 are also available for up to 50 per cent of the costs of any project to make businesses more accessible, green, and international.

That could include equipment and facilities for people with disabilities, electric car charging points, cycle storage and maintenance gear, e-bikes or a water system for use by visitors that replaces the need for plastic bottles.

Grants could also fund website translations for non-English speakers or the implementation of new payment systems to encourage international visitors.

Sole traders, partnerships and limited companies are all eligible, but must have fewer than 250 employees.

They will need to demonstrate how the grant funding will help their business to become more competitive and support the area's wider visitor economy.

To register an interest in the scheme, go to https://bit.ly/3dXE0QP.

A free webinar providing more details is being held on Thursday, May 21, register to attend at https://bit.ly/2LEDU4o.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire is also currently offering a programme of free workshops and webinars via its coronavirus guidance hub at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/industry.