HS2 Business and Economy Fund

A new fund has been launched to support local economies disrupted by the construction of HS2. 

The fund is intended to add benefit over and above any mitigation and statutory compensation, with applications invited for capital or revenue funding from £10,000 to a maximum of £1 million for projects to support local economies.

As applicants must be established as not-for-profit organisations, the funding is targeted at bodies that have formal objectives that support the development of local businesses and or tourism.

Examples given of the type of initiatives that might be funded include:

• Schemes to improve the public realm, especially in retail and tourist areas
• Improved local cycle and pedestrian access to local economic centres
• Events that increase footfall or promote business activity during seasonal periods
• Town/village discount cards to retain spend in local areas

The fund is being administered by Groundwork with full details of how to apply, including an eligibility checker, available at https://www.groundwork.org.uk/hs2funds