Rural Development Programme for England

This News article was posted on 18 Oct 2010 .

Visit Manchester is working alongside the NWDA to deliver a grant assistance programme with funding received through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).  The main aim of the project is to raise the quality of visitor accommodation within Greater Manchester.

The limits for the grants have been set at a minimum of £20,000 and a maximum of £50,000. The grant will make up 40% of the total cost of the project and the business needs to provide match funding for the project of 60%.

An application will be considered for 50% funding but these will be the exception.

Eligible Sectors

Hotel, Guest Accommodation, Hostel, Self Catering, Caravan/Campsite

Greater Manchester Rural Eligible Areas are included within the following:

Bolton- Bradshaw, Horwich & Blackrod, Horwich North East, Hulton, Kearsley, Westhoughton North & Chew Moor, Westhoughton South

Bury - Holyrood, North Manor, Radcliffe North, Radcliffe West, Ramsbottom, Tottington
Manchester - Woodhouse Park
Oldham - Alexandra, Failsworth East, Saddleworth North, Saddleworth South, Saddleworth West & Lees
Rochdale - Castleton, East Heywood, Healey Ward, Hopwood Hall, Littleborough Lakeside, Milnrow & Newhey, Norden, North Middleto, Spotland & Falinge, West Middleton
Salford - Cadishead, Pendlebury, Walkden North
Stockport - Marple North, Marple South
Tameside - Ashton Hurst, Hyde Godley, Hyde Werneth, Longdendale, Mossley
Trafford - Bowden
Wigan - Abram, Aspull New Springs Whelley, Astley Mosley Common, Golborne and Lowton West, Leigh East, Liegh East, Leigh South, Leigh West, Lowton East, pemperton, Shevington with Lower ground

Criteria

The Grants Panel will take into account the following essential criteria; that the project is

• Either a 'Micro' Enterprise, (employing up to 10 employees) or a 'Small' Enterprise, (employing up to 50 employees)
• A tourism operator currently providing serviced, self catering or caravan/campsite accommodation in areas of Greater Manchester eligible for Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE),or exceptionally;
• A prospective 'start-up' business in targeted areas where there is a demonstrable shortage of quality serviced accommodation (at the discretion of the Grants Panel)
• Proposing a significant investment in accommodation which will have a genuinely transformational effect on the overall quality of the offer.
• Delivering quality improvements to the physical fabric of the property
• Levering additional private sector investment
• Delivering new jobs
• Producing environmental benefits and enhancements

Further, the Panel will have regard to the following aspects when making their decision;

• The market need/demand for the proposed project
• The financial viability of the project
• Degree of fit with regional/local strategies
• The 'added value' which the project will bring to your business and the accommodation stock in general
• The management arrangements
• Delivery schedule covering key stages of the project
• What would happen without grant assistance
• Sustainability of the project once grant aid has ceased
• Value for money

All applicants need to complete an outline proposal form which will be checked for eligibility.  Useful documents and general guidance can be obtained from;

Rural Northwest Tourism Connect Team
Visit Manchester
Telephone: 0161 237 1010
Email: info@visitmanchester.com
Sarah Howsen- Tourism Connect Project Manager