Kick-start Tourism and Restart and Recovery SME Grants

Coast to Capital have launched a pre-application information page to help businesses prepare to apply for a Kick-start Tourism or Restart and Recovery SME grant ahead of the scheme opening on Tuesday 15 September at midday.

The Kickstart Tourism grant is aimed at businesses within the visitor economy with fewer than 250 employees, while the Restart and Renew SME grant is aimed at all other businesses with fewer than 250 employees. Applicants for both must have been impacted by COVID-19 and must satisfy further eligibility criteria. Businesses can apply for grants of between £1000 - £3000 (up to £5000 in exceptional circumstances) toward professional services to help them adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic or to purchase new equipment. 100% of the money will come from government with no obligation for businesses to contribute financially.

Businesses based in Croydon should register their interest here and businesses based in Lewes should visit this webpage.

Funding is extremely limited and we expect the scheme to be very popular, so you should complete the gateway diagnostic tool as soon as possible after the scheme opens. We are not operating a waiting list so decisions will be made on a first come, first served basis. The gateway diagnostic will close when the limit has been reached. 

How you’ll be assessed:

Grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis. All decisions will be final, with no opportunity to appeal. Eligibility checks will also take the following into account:

• Your potential to respond/adapt/strengthen from the impact of COVID-19 
• Your ability to identify opportunities to rebuild following the impact of COVID-19    
• Your ability to deliver within the timescales available (one month)

If you would like to be notified by email when the fund is open, please complete this short Expression of Interest form.  

Click here to read more about this grant