Derbyshire tourism could get £350,000 boost

The £350,000 has been allocated from European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) Growth Programme and given to D2N2 to give businesses a hand with marketing plans to increase tourism to the region.

D2N2 wants to see better links and connectivity between different destinations and attractions, to encourage visitors to extend the length of visits and increase visitor spend.

The EAFRD funding panel is keen to hear how applicants would co-operate with each other in marketing tourism in the rural D2N2 area, and how this would create more jobs and safeguard existing ones.

David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire already receive tens of thousands of visitors each year, bringing millions of pounds into their local economy. There is capacity there for further growth, through the development of quality tourism attractions or interesting areas.

“This EAFRD funding is an excellent opportunity for tourism businesses, or those wishing to set one up, to get the help needed to create a detailed business and marketing plan for their ideas.”

Up to ten projects in the D2N2 area will be funded from the £350,000. Individual grants will range from £35,000 to £140,000 and can cover up to half a project’s total costs, meaning a project must have a minimum total value of at least £70,000 to be eligible for funding through the EAFRD money.

Applications to the D2N2 EAFRD fund – which must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, January 8.

For more information visit www.d2n2lep.org/EUFunding