New grants scheme for market town events

Released On 1st Sep 2017

An exciting grants programme is being launched by South Somerset District Council (SSDC) this September with the aim of increasing visitors to the market towns of Chard, Crewkerne and Ilminster.

Not for profit groups and organisations based in the three towns are invited to apply for grants to stage events and activities in the town centres.  Grants of between £200 and £1500 are available from the total fund of £4,500.

The scheme is a one-off, time limited fund provided by SSDC’s Area West Committee with the first round of grants available between 1 September and 31 October 2017.  A second round will open from 1 January to 28 February 2018.  Events funded by the scheme must take place before the end of August 2018.

Councillor Val Keitch, Chair of South Somerset District Council’s Area West Committee says: “We are delighted to be able to launch this new grants programme for Area West and look forward to hearing from groups about innovative and exciting events and activities that will not only engage with retailers in town centres but will ultimately help to increase the numbers of shoppers to our market towns”.

Grants scheme decisions will favour events that are being run collaboratively, between two or more organisations.