Member Article

Northumberland’s rural enterprises at The Sill secure £1m boost

The Sill, a £14.2m project dedicating to becoming the UK’s first Landscape Discovery Centre, has received a £1m investment from the North East Rural Growth Network.

The North East Rural Growth Network approved the £1m Sill investment from the Strategic Economic Investment Fund (SEIF). The fund is designed to stimulate the development of business infrastructure in rural areas and to strengthen the rural economy in the North East LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) area.

The Sill, the first major project in the rural North East to receive SEIF funding, will create at least 120 jobs, contribute almost £5m in visitor spending to the North East economy per annum and provide a unique training and education facility for future generations. The centre will also house a rural enterprise hub for 10-20 businesses.

The Sill will bring together private, public and charitable sectors under one roof, in turn providing valuable networking opportunities and opening them up to thousands of potential customers each year.

Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) and YHA (England and Wales), The Sill’s lead partners, are today celebrating following confirmation of the £1m grant to further secure the future of the flagship project.

Glen Sanderson, Chairman of Northumberland National Park Authority, said: “It is fantastic to see The Sill receive support and backing from the North East Rural Growth Network and the Local Enterprise Partnership. The funding acts as recognition of the wide-ranging benefits the project offers not just to the people of the region and beyond but to the North East economy as a whole.

“It’s vitally important for Northumberland National Park to embrace, celebrate and champion business and enterprise within the local area - whether it be farming, crafts or fresh produce. The Sill will provide a hub for rural businesses to grow and flourish in a beautiful and historic location.

“This investment in The Sill will help ensure that rural businesses continue to thrive, and we are enormously grateful for this support. The grant will enable The Sill project to move forward with its plans at pace and puts us within touching distance of the funding target.”

Cllr Val Tyler, Cabinet member for Arts, Leisure and Culture with Northumberland County Council, said: “This is very welcome news for this amazing project. The Sill is a key component of our Economic Growth Strategy and will help attract even more visitors to the county and the wider region each year.

“Bringing new jobs and investment to areas such as this is vital for the future prosperity of Northumberland and this latest funding brings the whole project one step closer to reality.”

Gillian Hall, North East LEP board member, said: “The Sill is a project of major significance to the North East tourism industry, situated by the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site with the potential to create scores of new jobs in its development and boost economic growth in the area.

“The North East LEP is delighted to be able to support the development of the landscape discovery centre through the North East Rural Growth Network. We look forward to The Sill becoming an inspirational learning environment and major visitor attraction, allowing the stunning landscapes and history of the Northumberland National Park to be enjoyed by visitors from around the world.”

This latest investment means that £13.4m of the overall £14.2m cost of the Sill has now been secured.