Support fund announced for North East hospitality and tourism SMEs

A new support fund for hospitality and tourism SMEs in the North East has been announced.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has launched a new support fund to give small and medium-sized businesses in the hospitality, tourism and events industry help as they begin to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The £250k Back to Business Fund will allow firms to get direct professional support, advice and guidance in areas such as HR, accountancy, legal, financial, health and safety, IT and digital to aid their recovery and future growth.

This will support businesses within the visitor sector to develop new business strategies, cashflow planning, new HR policies and changes to digital methods including shifts to online trading.

Grants between £1k and £3k will be available and Mayor Houchen is encouraging businesses operating in the hospitality and visitor economy across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool to get in touch and apply.

Mayor Houchen commented: “As the next stage in my coronavirus recovery plan to welcome back businesses across the Tees Valley, I am pleased to announce the launch of a new fund to provide support through professional advice and services.

“Across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, we know that we have a wealth of professional advisors that can provide the advice, support and guidance that many of our businesses require at this difficult time.

“It is crucially important that we work together and support our businesses to drive forward our economy during the recovery from coronavirus and to shape a better future for our region.

“Our hospitality and visitor businesses are hugely important. Not only do they play a key role in supporting thousands of local jobs in our economy, they also bring so much joy to local people.

“That’s why I’ve made supporting them a priority in my jobs plan for the economic recovery of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“This is why I launched a £1m Welcome Back Fund to support the pubs, restaurants, cafes and venues which promote our visitor economy and help them to reopen.

“In delivering this new programme, I’m keen for our amazing small and medium sized hospitality, tourism and events businesses to benefit from the experience we have in the region so they can get the support they need.

“Whilst government has introduced a number of unprecedented financial measures to support businesses, it is equally important that locally I do my bit to help.

“We know what the support the businesses need in our area and I will continue to do everything I can to help.”

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