A busy business organisation is appealing to local authorities after its charitable campaign to get South Hams businesses ‘dressed to impress’ for customers this Summer, rocketed.
James Spencer from the Chamber of Commerce for Kingsbridge, Salcombe & Modbury, said “We’re thrilled that business people are energised at the prospect of re-opening for the season and proactively making the most of our scheme.
“Over the years our treasurer has built up our reserves for a rainy day and now we’re giving back thousands. More importantly though it seems we’ve opened a targeted means to channel funds to businesses who want to do more and slingshot out of this lockdown. There’s been some support from three South Hams District Councilors and we’re urging more to come forward with funds. We’ve come across a way public funds can return quickly on their investment, for the South Hams economy and communities.”
The scheme encourages businesses to invest in how they physically present themselves to the public. For many this will be shopfront signage or van livery but it might also be branded clothing and leaflet boxes.
Invitations for expressions of interest opened at 11pm on Tuesday 30 March and the organisers were astounded to find they’d received more than 100 applications by close of business on Monday 5th April from businesses based within 10 miles of Kingsbridge, like Loddiswell, East Portlemouth, Noss Mayo, Modbury and Salcombe.
The scheme contributes up to £250 to businesses operating within the chamber of commerce area (TQ7, TQ8 and PL21) by way of grant, subject to application, with the key criteria being that the improvements are made quickly, by the end of June.
“We’re investing in the future of the community here. The staycation boom and the rush from urban to rural living, will be a phenomenon for our economy this year. We want our business community to be impressive so that visitors choose to return, putting more back into our economy and communities year after year.” – James Spencer