Tourism Connect - Boosting Accommodation Quality
Cumbria Tourism successfully negotiated a multi-million pound grants programme for local accommodation providers. With funding from the North West Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund, the scheme is helping businesses improve their facilities, increase competitiveness and raise productivity.
The scheme commenced in November 2006 and ran until all funding was committed. Capital grants of up to £60,000 were offered to support comprehensive improvement projects, using professional design, business planning and environmental advice.
Examples of activities which were supported include;
◊ Bedroom / bathroom upgrades
◊ Amalgamation / room upgrades
◊ Major dining or lounge improvements
◊ Significant kitchen expansions or improvements
◊ Conference facilities & meeting rooms
◊ External facia / signage
◊ Garden & landscape improvements
◊ Lobby, entrance & reception facilities
◊ Energy saving & environmental performance measures
In all cases, applicants had to be able to show that the proposed improvements were part of a comprehensive scheme to raise quality, improve occupancy, grading, profitability and environmental performance.
Tourism Connect is a discretionary grant scheme.
All applications were assessed on individual merit and on a "first come, first served" basis.
For further information on the scheme contact Audrey Taylor on 01539 825004 or e-mail; ataylor@cumbriatourism.org.
Need a professional? Tourism Connect built upon the "Better than the Best" accommodation improvement programme, to drive up design and accommodation standards and raise business performance. To help potential applicants access professional design, business planning and environmental advice, a select list was produced from which clients could select their preferred specialists.
Download select list of Consultants & Advisers
To view Tourism Connect grant aided projects so far please click here
