Business support survey for Brean

Following EDF’s decision to use Pontins Holiday Park in Brean to house their workforce for a period of 3 years, we are seeking views from businesses in the local area to monitor impacts and target mitigation.

This business survey is being undertaken to understand if there has been an impact on businesses as a direct result of the change to Pontins Holiday Park.

The survey is now closed. We will repeat the survey regularly to monitor and measure impacts in the area.

Business grant to support local businesses

The Council is offering a small grant to local businesses in the Brean or Berrow Parish area who are impacted by the changes to Pontins Holiday Park in Brean. The park will accommodate workers on site over a three year period.

Brean and Berrow businesses that are affected by the accommodation of Hinkley Point C workers in the area are being offered the opportunity to apply for grants aimed to help them respond to any challenges caused.

Using a Section 106 business support funding package, we have created a grant scheme. This is to enable businesses who are impacted by Pontins being out of use for holidaymakers to leverage other funding opportunities. And to also encourage adaptation by local businesses to the new market opportunities.

Businesses from the affected areas will be able to apply for funding to support one of the following projects

• Marketing – up to £2,000
• Implementation to adaptation or business improvements – between £2,500 to £5,000

Eligible businesses can apply for the grant more than once, and each application will be judged on its merit.

Businesses can make a second application for the same expenses if the first grant has been successfully spent and the benefit has been seen. This is limited to two applications, with a maximum of £10,000 overall.

To be eligible businesses must:

• be based in Brean or Berrow Parish area
• be an independent business
• employ fewer than 200 people
• have been operating for more than one year
• provide at least 2 quotes for any proposed spend
• provide full year’s accounts.

The following are examples of how the money might be used:

• Creation of a marketing plan or strategy for the business.
• New process design or equipment that will provide adaptability in the current climate.
• New products or services.
• Projects that will link to other activities or events in the area.

The grant cannot be used to solely supplement a loss of income.

Businesses are encouraged to show how they will add value to the wider economy by creating or improving goods and services, jobs or training opportunities and use of local suppliers.

The grant will be paid retrospectively to the applicant upon the presentation of agreed progress reports, evidenced defrayal of expenditure and against agreed timescales. An initial upfront payment may be arranged, this option will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Do not commence work or incur any expenditure until the funding agreement has been signed and returned. Any work, costs or matched funding activity that is dated prior to the date of the funding agreement will not be accepted or reimbursed.

At this stage, only one application per business will generally be accepted. The scheme will run on a first come, first served basis, with potential for further funding tranches or application opportunities. This is subject to demand of the scheme and availability of funds.

Apply

Any interested business should complete an application form which will be assessed by a panel from the Council. If successful, the applicants will be expected to sign and return an agreement detailing the terms and conditions of the grant.