: NEWS RELEASE : GRANTS ON OFFER FOR NORTH NORTHANTS BUSINESSES

GRANTS ON OFFER FOR NORTH NORTHANTS BUSINESSES

Following on previous grants offered throughout the pandemic, North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) has launched the 'Discretionary Recovery and Innovation grant' aimed at helping those most in need.

The grant is a one-off grant aimed to:

• Support local independent businesses impacted by Covid-19
• Support plans which enable businesses to build back stronger
• Give a boost to measures which support the move to 'Net Zero'
• Facilitate diversification and innovation to improve resilience
• Protect and create local jobs.

Any business owners wishing to apply or find out more information should visit the NNC Covid grants webpage and read the guidance before applying. The deadline for applications is 2 December at 12pm.

Ian Blackwell from Canoe2 received a previous grant from North Northamptonshire Council and explains how it helped his business adapt and respond to the challenges of the pandemic:

"As a small local, independently owned business, operating along the Nene Valley, Canoe2 like so many businesses suffered a huge impact from the pandemic. Issues have ranged from losing half our 2020 operating season to lock-down, when we were unable to open for hire craft or retail, through to the combined impact of lock-down and supply chain issues closing our retail shop for what will be 2 years by the time we re-open for the 2022 season. The remaining 2020 and 2021 hire seasons continued to be impacted by reduced capacity, as well as enforcing limits on group sizes. Additionally, the Boathouse Meeting Room that we manage for local community meetings & events was forced to close and is still limited to smaller groups.

The grant funding support received from NNC has been vital in supporting Canoe2 through this incredibly uncertain period, allowing us to focus on keeping our hire services available whenever guidelines allowed, and putting the business in a position whereby we dare plan & invest for the company's future recovery. Grant monies have assisted us in covering essential basic overheads such as insurance & maintenance, allowed delayed investment in replacement of equipment, and with an eye on future longevity & full recovery, to invest in our promotional efforts around our canoe, kayak, pedalo hire services & to assist in promoting use of the meeting & events facility.