Based on a previously successful pilot, the three-year Hospitality Grant Scheme will fund hospitality ventures and bring vacant premises back into use.
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It will also support hospitality training and skills projects, including work by The Right Course, which used trial funding to turn two prison staff restaurants and kitchens into a training facility giving inmates high-street hospitality experience.
Separately, the Hospitality Sector Council and L Marks have worked with hospitality businesses and technology companies to identify ways to save time and cut costs through new technology.
Vital role
Some £3m of the fund has been earmarked for rural venues through Pub is The Hub, after the pilot scheme successfully supported more than 70 rural pubs.
Projects previously backed by the not-for-profit organisation have included adding village stores, community cafés, play areas and arts and crafts activities to pubs.
Pub is The Hub chief executive John Longden OBE said the funding was “warmly welcomed” and would help publicans diversify and provide vital services.
He added: “[The Government] has recognised the vital role publicans and pubs play. The scheme will also encourage the leveraging of other match private and public funding to support these small businesses.
“This funding will help give long-term certainty to operators to create new services and activities in their pubs which will deliver a wider social value and create a foundation for well-being in their local areas.”
Growth opportunities
The announcement comes after it was revealed pubs, clubs and live music venues would receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills from April, with the typical pub expected to save around £1,000 next year.
Moreover, the news followed calls from All Party Parliamentary Beer Group chair and Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi for the Government to roll out initiatives like Pub is the Hub across the country.
Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said: “Hospitality venues are where communities come together and where many people get their first experience of work. They create jobs and help our towns and neighbourhoods to thrive.
“This funding will back local businesses to grow, boost opportunities for people across the UK and support growth in every part of the country.”
Operators will be able to apply for funding from the end of September.
