Julian highlights £5 million fund available to York businesses
March 3, 2016
The Government highlighted today that flood affected businesses in York can apply to a £5 million fund to advertise that they are open for business. The response came following today’s questions to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, where Mr Sturdy enquired what the Government is doing to support tourism in York following the Boxing Day floods.
The Tourism Minister, David Evennett, responded by saying “York along with other affected areas are currently being promoted with a £1 million publicity campaign announced by the Prime Minister on 28th January. This is designed to encourage British families to spend their Easter holidays in the North of England. My Right Honourable Friend the Culture Secretary also launched Virgin Trains’ 30% discount offer on 1st February as part of his visit to York city to promote it and its wider region as open for business”.
Mr Sturdy pressed the case for funding, asking “Around 200 businesses in York were flooded after Christmas and thankfully many are now getting back on their feet. Building on the recent Visit England campaign to encourage families to visit northern tourist destinations like York, would my Honourable Friend give consideration to providing individual grants so that local tourist attractions can market themselves to let everyone know that they are actually open for business?”
In response to Mr Sturdy’s question, the Minister said “I know how assiduous my Honourable Friend is in his commitment to the area. I would like to say that I’m really pleased that after the recent floods York is open for business and welcoming visitors back. Tourism businesses in flood affected areas that have been directly or indirectly impacted are eligible for BIS’s £5 million flood recovery grant. Grants can be used by businesses to help promote themselves. Visit Britain and Visit England are also in dialogue with specific flood affected businesses to spread this open for business message for areas which are open and ready to receive visitors.”
Welcoming the Minister’s announcement, Mr Sturdy said “I am pleased that local businesses can apply for individual funding to advertise that they are now open for business. Combined with discounted rail fairs and a nation-wide advertising campaign I hope that families will visit York and its surrounding communities this Easter”.
