Creative or cultural projects based in and around the Argyle Street area of Birkenhead are being invited to apply for immediate cash support.
Wirral Council are currently putting all their focus on submitting a major bid for regeneration funding to the Government’s Town Deal programme and, as part of this process, has already been awarded initial funding to help accelerate the delivery of their plans in the next four months.
The council is inviting applicants to use these accelerated funds by putting forward proposals for capital schemes, that can meet the objectives of the fund and be delivered this financial year, by 31st March 2021.
The objective of the grant is to enable the growth and development for the creative sector in this defined area and contribute to the creative and cultural ambition of the local community, organisations, and businesses.
Am I eligible for support?
- The funding is available to eligible businesses and organisations located within Argyle Street and the nearby surrounding area.
- The funding is for capital expenditure only, such as improvements to premises or land, which contribute to the creative and cultural ambition of the area and bring about growth in the creative sector.
What projects can the grant be used for?
Projects must be:
- Shovel ready and be able to be implemented and completed before 31st March 2021
- Capital schemes (physical works to buildings, rather than the provision of services)
- Have all relevant consents or permissions already in place, for example, planning permission, listed building consent or freeholder consent.
The scheme closes at 11:59pm on 3rd January 2021. Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application the week commencing 11th January 2021.
The council is particularly interested to receive applications from community interest companies, charities, and other not-for-profit organisations, as well as small and medium enterprises with fewer than 250 full-time equivalent employees, a turnover of no more than 50m Euros and/or an annual balance sheet of no more than 43m euros.
Applicants may apply for up to 100% of the total eligible project cost, up to a maximum grant of 200,000 euros.
Full details of the eligibility criteria and how to apply here or email if you would like to discuss further with a member of the Town Deal Accelerator Grant team, ahead of submitting an application.
Councillor Anita Leech, Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee said:
“We see this additional accelerator grant as a vote of confidence from the Government that we are agile and can deliver projects quickly and within stipulated guidelines.
“It offers a fantastic opportunity for our visionary and entrepreneurial creative sector to access funding which will help them realise their projects, making the difference between having a great idea and having the wherewithal to get it across the line.
“We would urge any project team, which meets the criteria, to apply as soon as possible as we have a very narrow window to get this money out to our community.”
