Town centre pub awarded grant to boost local dining experience

The Baum

A popular town centre pub has been awarded an £11,000 grant through the American Express-backed Backing International Small Restaurants programme.

The Baum is one of six Greater Manchester establishments selected to receive funding as part of a £220,000 initiative aimed at supporting independent eateries.

The Backing International Small Restaurants programme, now in its third year in the UK, is managed by the International Downtown Association Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Town & City Management, and receives financial backing from American Express.

This year’s grants are intended to enable recipients to make essential upgrades to their venues, covering everything from kitchen improvements to enhancing marketing and customer experiences.

The historic Toad Lane pub, a favourite spot for locals in Rochdale, plans to use its funding to improve operations and boost the overall dining environment, reinforcing its role as a community hub. Small, independently owned restaurants like The Baum are increasingly seen as vital to the character and vibrancy of high streets and local neighbourhoods, and this grant aims to help them continue thriving.

Other Greater Manchester venues also awarded grants include Cibus Pizza in Manchester, The Italian in Romiley, JS On the Corner in Manchester, MOST Bakery in Altrincham, and Wax and Beans in Bury. Each will receive £11,000 to address specific operational needs.

In Bury, Wax and Beans, a well-loved coffee and record shop, will use its grant to expand its kitchen and extend its outdoor dining area.

Dan Edelman, General Manager of UK Merchant Services at American Express, said he was thrilled to support Manchester’s independently owned restaurants, calling them a “vibrant” part of local communities. He added: “American Express remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting them to thrive.”

David Downey, Executive Director of the IDA Foundation, expressed pride in the programme’s expansion. He said:  “We are thrilled to announce the third cohort of restaurants selected for the Backing International Small Restaurants programme.

"This year, we’ve expanded our reach to nine cities globally through the continued generosity of American Express. We are proud to empower these extraordinary restaurants to thrive and strengthen the fabric of their neighbourhoods.”

The programme has grown significantly since its inception, now awarding $1 million in grants annually and supporting small restaurants in nine cities, including newly added locations Manchester, Melbourne, Montreal, and Osaka.

This initiative is part of American Express’s broader ‘Backing Small’ campaign, designed to provide resources and financial support to help small businesses address key needs.