Market Towns Grant Fund

Introduction

Herefordshire County BID Ltd is committed to encouraging economic development across the County and aims to work closely with groups of organisations to financially support projects that benefit the visitor economy.

The HCBID are launching the 2025/26 grant fund for each of the 5 Market Towns (Bromyard, Kington, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross on Wye). Each Market Town has access to a pot of money per year to support projects that improve the economic viability, and the Visitor offer of each Market Town to potential visitors.

HCBID has a duty to ensure that grants awarded under this scheme aim to make a difference to the visitor economy in Herefordshire. The scheme recognises, values and encourages applications that show partnership working within the Market Towns.

Aims Of The Grant Fund

• Increase footfall, dwell time and spend
• Promote Herefordshire as a destination to visit, live and work
• Develop stronger partnerships within the towns and across the county to deliver more opportunities for the Herefordshire visitor economy
• Deliver promotional campaigns to highlight the range and quality of businesses within Herefordshire 

Projects that have already been funded via this scheme

• Late Night Shopping event / Christmas event
• Area promotional booklets
• Area Map guides
• Online social media promotions
• Bromyard Independents support materials
• Ross on Wye In Bloom planters
• Bromyard In Bloom planters and cleansing trolly
• Leominster Independents day
• Kington Restaurants and Hotels advertising booklets

Application Procedure

• Applications need to be sent in a minimum of 8 weeks prior to any project delivery.
• If the application is for an event, it is strongly recommended applications are made as soon as possible prior to the event to allow sufficient time for the application to be considered.
• Applications must be submitted using the online application form and be accompanied by the documentation requested by the application deadline or the application may not be considered.
• Applicants who cannot provide a copy of accounts or a balance sheet are asked to submit a business plan or strategy with other supporting documentation.
• HCBID Ltd reserves the right to request additional information to aid determination of the grant.
• Once it has been decided if an application should receive a grant, an offer letter will be sent to the applicant detailing the level of grant awarded and any stipulations linked to the grant.
• If the applicant is happy to accept the offer and conditions, a signed copy of the offer letter should be returned to Herefordshire County BID Ltd within the set timeframe. Once this is received the project may begin.
• All paperwork including invoices relating to the project must be retained and provided as part of the final project report.
• On completion of the project a final report will be required. The report will summarise what the project has achieved and break down the income and expenditure. HCBID Ltd will monitor and follow up any reports not received. Any applicant who fails to submit a final report will not be eligible to apply for any grants in the future.

Who May Apply

Traders’ groups, charities, voluntary/ community organisations or Town Councils may apply.

The BID Board must satisfy itself that any grant made is likely to achieve the desired outcome relating to economic, social or environmental well-being of HCBID area.  

If you would like to discuss your eligibility for this grant please contact:

Diane Mansell on diane@herefordshirecountybid.co.uk

Who Cannot Apply

HCBID will not fund activities of a political nature, individual commercial ventures/ events, nor discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, gender, age, sexuality or disability nor will it fund activities considered to be the responsibility of the principal authority or which it considers might lead to the statutory body withdrawing funding in the future.

HCBID will not award grants to national organisations which do not have a direct specific benefit to the people of Herefordshire or where local groups raise funds which are sent to a regional or national HQ for redistribution and not spent locally.