by Chris Malone
Caravan sites are among the businesses that qualify for funding from Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board’s share in the Rural Development Programme England pot of cash.
The finance is available for accommodation providers looking to upgrade their facilities to a high standard and will see firms given up to 40 per cent of their project costs to a maximum of £50,000.
Any business offering four or five-star accommodation can access the scheme, which can also be used to part-fund professional business planning advice and training opportunities.
The first successful applicants have already benefited, with Cartford Inn owners Patrick and Julie Beaume using the cash to help build eight new bedrooms, a restaurant, new kitchen and outside dining area.
“This funding will allow us to fulfil our wishes to increase our accommodation capacity to the high standards we have set ourselves and have already demonstrated to our guests, with our first phase refurbishment,” said Mr Beaume.
In other news, the Caravan Club recently wrote to MPs noting how the caravanning industry could help the UK economy.
