4:30pm Thursday 9th July 2009
TWO Hampshire Farmers’ Market producers have won grants to help them improve their businesses.
The two payments, totalling £51,000, are the first “Leader” funding grants to be made by the Fieldfare Local Action Group.
The awards will be used by Mr Whitehead’s Cider, Selborne, and Bowtell’s Farm Shop, East Tisted, to “add value” to their fare.
More than 90 small rural businesses in East Hampshire and Winchester districts have asked to be considered for a share of the £365,000 the action group has set aside for this year from the £2m Leader funding, which it has been allocated under the Rural Development Programme for England for the next five years.
So far, 21 have been invited to submit full applications.
George Beckett, the leader of Winchester City Council, said he was impressed with their quality.
“We hope to allocate even more funds over the next few months,” he said. “This is an important aspect of our collaborative work to support local businesses during these difficult times.”
The Local Action Group comprises farmers, businesses and community representatives who decide how best to support the rural economy by allocating the grant funding.
“We have to make some tough decisions, but we are committed to spending Leader funding for the good of the local economy,” said chairman, Andrew Gordon.
For more information, visit www.winchester. gov.uk/leaderfunding or contact programme manager, Ken Brown, on 01962 848 588 or e-mail kbrown@winchester.gov.uk.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/trade_directory/