Grants of up to £5,000 are available until Friday, September 10 to help businesses in rural parts of Somerset bounce back after the coronavirus pandemic.

The Rural Services Grant Fund is part of a £6 million package of funding from Somerset County Council which aims to kickstart the county’s economy.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on many rural communities in Somerset. The £5,000 grants – up to 80 per cent of project costs – are now available to assist service businesses in rural areas to help them move forward and become more sustainable.

A business will need to provide 20 per cent of its own match funding.

Cllr David Hall, cabinet member for the economy, planning and community infrastructure, said: “This has been a really tough 18 months for our rural businesses and we’re committed to helping them get back on track.

“This grant is for items that will help a business provide further services or enhance their trading – so to provide an online sales platform or an increased trading space. It’s a great opportunity and I would encourage eligible businesses to step forward and ensure they don’t miss out.”

The application process is open to:

* Sole traders providing rural services;

* Businesses providing rural services;

* Town and parish councils;

* Local community-led organisations operating on a not-for-profit basis and are legally constituted.

The fund launched in August and will close at 5pm on September 10. Initial applications will be treated on a first come, first served basis but time will be needed to check eligibility and respond.

To apply, complete an Expression of Interest form which can be found at Somerset Recovery Fund – click on Rural Renaissance Rural Services Grant. 

Once that has been reviewed, if the work is eligible and appropriate, a full application will be invited. This will then require three quotes, further details of the aims/objectives and trading accounts to enable the project to be assessed fully.

For further information, email [email protected].