North Norfolk businesses benefit from grants and support

Date published: 16th August 2024

North Norfolk District Council successfully secured over £2.6m of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) to distribute in the district.

Working with partners, NNDC developed several schemes and grants to support businesses and local community groups, helping them to invest in new buildings and facilities, purchase new equipment, create jobs, provide better digital connectivity, train their workforce and become more sustainable.

THE UKSPF and REPF programmes opened in 2022 and are due to finish in March 2025.

Grant delivery by numbers:

• 1,356 businesses supported through the Visitor Economy Support Programme
• 153 businesses supported through the Go Digital Scheme
• 88 businesses offered bespoke 1:1 business advice through the Growth Hub
• 65 houses supported with energy advice or retro fitting as part of Cost of Living support through Norfolk Warm Homes
• 52 carbon reduction plans for North Norfolk businesses through the Decarbonisation and Growth Programme
• 388 people upskilled through the Future Skills Now programme

Much of the grant funding  a number of schemes are still available, including advice and funding to help businesses looking to improve their digital systems, support for improving workforce skills and training  and guidance to help businesses to become more sustainable and reduce their energy bills

Support also remains available for tourism businesses through Visit North Norfolk and 1-to-1 business advice through the Growth Hub.

Case Study: North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust – REPF

North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust are one of the community groups to benefit from the Rural England Prosperity Fund, and were granted nearly £45,000 for the purchase of floating pontoons and equipment to help them continue in their Light Craft Navigation project.

Their aim is to restore North Walsham & Dilham Canal, a 9 mile waterway, with operations undertaken by dedicated volunteers who are restoring the canal on behalf of the proprietors.

The application to the Council was for modular pontoons, which are sectional and can be assembled by the volunteers and therefore offer a level of versatility for them in their work to restore the canal, or leisure users of the waterways. The pontoons can also be used as static platforms along the canal, or with the attachments of battery powered propulsion, they can offer transportation of materials or equipment.

The grant has enabled the Canal Trust to futureproof their operations and accelerate the activity they can undertake to achieve their hopes of opening the whole waterway, so that local residents, tourists and visitors to explore by boat, kayak or paddleboard – or simply swim.

Hear from the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust about their grant experience:

Visit www.nwdct.org to find out more about the organisation

Cllr. John Toye, portfolio holder for Sustainable Growth said:

“This funding is making a real difference to our local businesses and wider economy, and I’m pleased that North Norfolk District Council, through the dedication and hard work of its officers, are playing a leading role in facilitating that growth.

“North Norfolk continues to impress me with the amazing wealth of innovation, ambition and business experience. 

“This has brought forward projects through these grants that make a difference in so many ways.  From High Tech and low carbon production to community projects showcased here they continue to create an environment that is wonderful to work and live in.”

The grants and business support have been delivered by North Norfolk District council and partners, including Norfolk County Council, Groundworks East, New Anglia Growth Hub, Norfolk Warm Homes.

There is still support available to businesses and community groups through the UKSPF - find out what support you can still access at www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/UKSPFandREPF