Welcome Back Fund supports 500 Teesside businesses

Welcome back fund provides boost to more than 500 local businesses

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A regional recovery fund has helped over 500 hospitality and tourism businesses across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool reopen safely following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

By The Tees Editorial Desk · 10 July 2020

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen visiting the Cleveland Bay in Stockton Image: Image: Tees Valley Combined AuthorityOriginal source

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A financial scheme designed to aid the hospitality and tourism sector has supported more than 500 businesses in their efforts to reopen after the coronavirus lockdown. The Welcome Back Fund, the first phase of a £1million project, provided grants of up to £1,500 to pubs, restaurants, hotels and museums.

The grants helped these venues adapt their operations to meet government health and safety guidelines, ensuring they could welcome customers back from 4 July. The proved highly popular and was fully subscribed within a week of its launch.

The hospitality industry is a employer in the region, supporting over 13,500 full and part-time roles. Local spending in these establishments typically reaches £7.5million per week, with the fund helping to inject an £2.3million into the sector during the first week of renewed trading.

To manage longer-term recovery, Annabel Turpin, Chief Executive of Stockton’s ARC, has been appointed to lead a new Task Force. This group of experts from the culture, digital, and tourism sectors will focus on securing jobs and driving growth over the coming year.

Archive : This story is based on reporting originally published by Tees Valley Combined Authority on 2020-07-10. The original source image has been and credited.