Increasing the Value of the Rural Visitor Economy in East Surrey - Business Support Workshop

This rural business support workshop is part of a wider ‘East Surrey Rural Visitor Economy’ project which is looking at ways of increasing the value of the visitor economy in the area.

During the morning you will hear from:

Andrew Dennis, Advisor at the Business Navigator Growth Hub, will provide an overview of different funded business support initiatives available in the area.

Sarah McGinn, Area Manager at the Rural Payments Agency, introduces the EAFRD Growth Programme and the different funding streams currently available.

Cathy Miles, Rural Surrey LEADER Programme Manager, will outline the LEADER programme offering grant support to farmers, foresters, community enterprises and rural based businesses.

Find out if you are eligible and how much funding you could receive from one of the current rural funding opportunities; whether local LEADER rural funding or the RDPE Growth Programme, which currently has an Expression of Interest deadline of 31 May 2018. Plus we'll update you on the latest tourism trends which could help you capitlaise on new and growing markets.

You will also find out more information about the ‘East Surrey Rural Visitor Economy’ project and how you can help shape its development to benefit your community, business or organisation. You will be invited to consider opportunities and how these can be realised, the challenges to the development and growth and how to maximise the value of visitors to your business and the local economy.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The East Surrey Visitor Economy project is being funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and delivered on the behalf of East Surrey Local Authorities by Tourism South East & Associates.

The project aims to promote the credentials of the area by improving the visibility and viability of East Surrey's rural destinations, experiences, services and products, and capitalise on the opportunities such visibility brings.

More information on the project can be found at www.tourismsoutheast.com/local-to-you/surrey.html

Delegates' details will be held by Tourism South East & Associates. No information on individual businesses will be released and all information will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

MORE INFORMATION

Where can I check that my business or organisation is in a designated rural area in the Coast to Capital region?

Check the location of your business or organisation against the RDPE Growth Programme map for the Coast to Capital LEP area on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdpe-growth-programme-rural-maps

For specific detailed geographic EAFRD/LEADER eligibility information, you will need to use the Defra Magic Mapping website at http://magic.defra.gov.uk

Details of how to find your location and add the EAFRD/LEADER eligibility overlays are available from your local Business Navigator at http://www.c2cbusiness.org.uk

What funds can I apply for?

The RDPE Growth Programme is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and three capital-only streams are currently open for expressions of interest, Business Development (general capital projects), Rural Tourism Infrastructure, and Food & Drink Processing, with minimum grants ranging from £75,000 and £100,000, at a notional 40% grant rate for commercial applicants.

LEADER awards grants from £2,500 to £50,000 (some projects may be funded in excess of £50,000) – mainly for capital projects. A maximum of 40% of total costs is a typical award. However, different grant rates apply, depending on the applicant and the nature of the proposals.

Who will be at the workshop?

Meet representatives of the Rural Payments Agency/Defra, the local LEADER delivery team, the Coast to Capital Growth Hub, and Tourism South East & Associates and learn about the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), LEADER funding, business support and developing a Destination Management Plan for rural East Surrey.