Hospitality grant not enough for local venues in North Herts, says business expert

Hertfordshire business advisory organisation Wenta has said that the government’s £10 million Hospitality Grant Scheme alone isn’t enough to fuel sustainable growth after applications closed earlier this week.

The Grant was introduced in September to support fledgling business projects with 50-60% of their developmental costs, aiming to fill empty premises and create more local jobs in the hospitality sector.

Michael Martin, Head of Net Zero at Wenta, believes funding from the Grant will help with sustainability costs, but challenges persist. “For most businesses, being greener is still perceived as a nice-to-have,” he said. “Many grants for greener practices disappeared around the pandemic.”

Richard Harbon, manager at local business support organisation LoveLetchworth, expressed why any funding is good funding. “Businesses in Letchworth are being hit by increasing rent and rate rises,” he said. “Any help has got to be seen as a positive move.”

*Sustainable development is a key issue in North Herts. Photo: Alex Hill*

Another concern is that not enough businesses were made aware of the Grant. “Only a couple of local businesses had heard about it, but none are using it,” said Mr Harbon after speaking to Letchworth’s high-street vendors.

This comes just days after North Herts Council kickstarted its new Local Plan for growth in response to the local community calling for sustainable development in the area.

But North Herts Council, who strongly encouraged hospitality businesses to apply for the Grant, declined to comment on where in the district sustainable growth targets need to be met.

*Crafty’s Beer Shop closed in July after financial pressures*. Photo: Alex Hill

Almost 1,000 hospitality venues have closed in the East of England since 2020, according to the Night Time Industries Association, including independent Letchworth micro-pub and community hub Crafty’s Beer Shop, whose premises were seized by bailiffs in July.

But Mr Martin said that money alone isn’t the answer: “It’s about education, helping people understand that they can access more supply chains and boost their business development if they’re greener.”