£¼ million in grants for Cumbria’s adventure organisations

Dozens of Cumbrian outdoor organisations can share in a quarter-of-a-million pounds to stage new outdoors festivals, set up new outdoor activities or test new ideas.

A £250,000 grants fund has been awarded to Cumbria by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and will be administered by Cumbria Tourism at Staveley.

It will be used in the drive to create more high-quality adventure experiences for visitors as part of Adventure Capital – UK; a programme which aims to ensure Cumbria is seen as the number one choice for people wanting adventure holidays.

The grants will be considered by a special panel of private and public sector representatives from organisations connected to the outdoor sector. Grants will be awarded according to the rules and eligibility criteria.

Sheona Southern, Marketing Director at Cumbria Tourism, said: “I am confident that this will help Cumbria’s outdoor businesses achieve their ambitions as well as offering something new to visitors coming to the county and firmly establishing Cumbria’s place on the map as Adventure Capital – UK.”

“There is a range of criteria for businesses but the panel will favour applications which bring staying visitors to the county particularly in the off-peak months and mid-week; projects that have environmental benefits and those which can survive without continual public funding and where there is realistic match-funding in place.”

Peter White, Executive Director of Development at the NWDA, said: “Cumbria has a fantastic natural environment and is well placed to take advantage of its growing reputation for adventure activities. The NWDA is committed to supporting Cumbria Tourism in its vision to make Cumbria the Adventure Capital – UK and I hope this investment will provide a springboard towards that vision.”

Anyone wanting to apply for a grant must complete an application form and can find out more about eligibility and criteria by going to Cumbria Tourism’s website at http://www.cumbriatourism.org/

There are three grants available in total to support three types of activity, these are:

1: £135,000 has been allocated for capital Grants - for projects which will deliver new outdoors tourism products which the public have free access too such as new footpaths and cycle routes
* However, revenue-generating projects are not eligible, eg a business developing new cycling facilities intending to charge customers

2. £90,000 has been allocated for Festival & Event Grants - allocated to support major outdoor activity festivals and events upto a maximum of £15,000

3. £25,000 allocated for Feasibility Study Grants – to help with the cost towards a feasibility study for potential future outdoor focused projects

Ends

1: For further information please contact Cumbria Tourism Press Office on 01539 822222 or on pressoffice@cumbriatourism.org

2: To find out more about the work of Cumbria Tourism go to www.cumbriatourism.org

3: Cumbria Tourism is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The NWDA leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: Supporting business growth and encouraging investment; Matching skills provision to employer needs; Creating the conditions for economic growth; Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life.

4: To book accommodation in Cumbria – the Lake District, please call our Accommodation Booking Line on 0845 450 1199 or go to www.golakes.co.uk

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