A range of Great Yarmouth borough businesses and organisations have successfully applied for and been awarded tens of thousands of pounds of competitive, discretionary grants funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
East Norfolk Cider, based in Scratby, has been awarded £64,000 to help it increase production and efficiency with the installation of new equipment. The company, which uses locally sourced apples, currently uses more than 24 tons of apples every year and aims to increase production by up to 40 per cent.
Russell Watson, who owns East Norfolk Cider, said: ‘’We are delighted to have successfully been awarded this new funding. Alongside our own investment, this grant will enable us to take the next step in production and allow us to regularly stock a variety of pubs, shops and festivals.’’
Councillor Daniel Candon, Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s portfolio holder for Economic Development and Growth, said: ‘’We are really pleased these grants are now providing meaningful financial support to help grow and develop the local economy.
‘‘The grants provide exciting new opportunities for local businesses and organisations and we look forward to seeing the difference this funding will make as we continue to work hard to support to our small and medium-sized businesses – businesses which remain the backbone of our local economy.’’
Among the other successful applicants is The Waterside in Rollesby, which has been awarded £90,000 for an ambitious project at its restaurant, leisure and boating venue. The grant will go towards work to convert a redundant boathouse into a History of the Broads audio-visual exhibition centre, as well as a small craft and workshop space and a gift shop.
The work will complement existing facilities at the venue and is designed to attract local people, tourists, schools and disabled organisations. Work on the £155,000 project started last summer and is due to be completed this year. The company envisages 10 new jobs being created when the exhibition centre opens and is fully operational.
Other organisations awarded grants include Willow Tree Garden in Belton. The charity provides space for people with additional needs to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, quiet and controlled environment. It received £26,000 for a range of works and improvements at its site.
The garden, which is run by volunteers, has classrooms as well as an outdoor wildlife space and the money will see new solar panels and fencing installed, as well as maintenance work at the site.
