LONDON, Sept. 2 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* Boost forlocal pubs, restaurants andcafes as £10 million Hospitality Grant Schemelaunchesfor applications * Fundingaimsto back entrepreneurs starting new businesses, support training schemes giving young people their first jobs, andhelp trusted communityvenues toadapt andgrow * Over£3 millionearmarkedfornon-profitPub isThe Hub

Village pubs, family-runrestaurants, and neighbourhood cafes received a boost today asanew£10 million three-year Hospitality Grant Scheme haslaunchedfor applications.

Money will beinvested intoprojects thathelp get newhospitalityventures off the ground,bring vacant premises back into use, orsupport training programmesthat help people develop the skills, confidence and work ethicto open doorstofuture careers.

For example, non-profitThe Right Courseused pilot funding tohelptransform two prison staff restaurants and kitchens into a hospitality training facility,providing inmates withvaluableexperience inarealistic, high-street-style working environment.

The Hospitality Sector Council and innovation lab specialist L Marks brought together hospitality businesses and leading tech companies to find new ways to boost productivity in the industry, leading to hours of work being saved & reduced costs.

Minister fortheFuture of Work, Kate Dearden said:

Hospitality venues are where communities come together and where many people get their first experience of work. Theycreate jobs and help our towns and neighbourhoods to thrive.

This funding will back local businesses to grow,boostopportunities for people across the UK and support growth in every part of the country."

This move recognises the vital role hospitality plays in supporting local economies and communities across the UK. This includes providing many people with their first jobs, helping them develop key skills to build successful careers within and outside the industry.

£3m of the grant funding has been specifically earmarked to support Pub isThe Hub - anindependentnon-profit organisation helping pubsin ruraland deprived areasto diversify their servicesand activities.Thisincludesadding village stores, community cafes,play areasand arts and crafts activities, enablingpubs to expand their role as vital local hubs.

The grant scheme comes as part of the Government's commitment to deliver economic growth in every postcode and ensure communities across the country can share in that success.

It follows on fromthe announcement thatpubs,clubsand live music venuesareset to receive a 20% cut to their business rates bills from April, saving the typical pub an estimated £1,000 next year.

Jane O'Riordan, Co-Chair of the Hospitality Sector Council, said:

We welcome the launch of this grant scheme, which builds on a successfulpilot anddemonstrateswhat can be achieved when government and industry work together. The flexible funding will help support innovative projects that boost productivity and sustainability, create opportunities for young people and those furthest from the labour market, and deliver the shared priorities of the Hospitality Sector Council and the wider sector.

Pub is The Hub Chief Executive, John Longden OBE said,

Accessto thisnew supportfrom the Hospitality Grant Scheme is warmly welcomed as it will help inspire local publicans to diversify to create much needed local services and activities in their rural,remoteor deprived areas.

BIST, together with the Treasury, has recognised the vital role that publicans and pubs play as essential small local businesses, that make positive contributions to local communities. 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 publicans 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.

Pub is The Hub has been very thankful of the support and donations from within the pub and hospitality industry over the past 25 years and looks forward to working in collaboration with the BIST and the sector moving forward."

Notes to Editors

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Guidance is available now, with applications being received from the end of September: see here

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The grant scheme builds on a successful pilot thathelpeddeliver over 70 rural pub projects,twohospitalitytraining facilities in UK prisons, and an innovation hub.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.