Grants available to local visitor attractions and venues in Rochdale

Rochdale Council has launched an exciting small grant scheme for local visitor attractions and venues in the Borough of Rochdale.

The Rochdale Visitor Attraction and Venues Improvement Scheme (RVAVIS) is offering up to £6,000 to improve attractions and venues to encourage more visitors to the area.

The grants are match funded, so businesses can apply for the grant but must be able to pay 50% of the total cost of the project.

For example, if the total cost of the project is £8,000, the applicant must be able to pay £4,000 and the RVAVIS would pay the remaining £4,000.

Visitor attractions, tourist sites, cultural and historical venues are eligible to apply. Leisure venues including performance spaces, music venues and theatres can also apply. Applicants must be registered businesses or not-for-profit organisations within Rochdale Borough.

Priority will be given to cost effective projects showing a commitment to improving the local economy and attracting more visitors to Rochdale.

Examples of what the grants can be used for are marketing campaigns to increase the venue’s visibility, upgrading facilities to improve the visitor experience, or creating a programme of events to attract more visitors.

The funding will only be granted if it is a new project and will not be paid towards an ongoing project that has already started.

Rochdale Council leader Neil Emmott said, “As always, our spirit of co-operation and innovation is shining brightly. This vital scheme underlines that this is a council that means business – ensuring that we continue to grow our visitor economy through further development of our amazing visitor attractions and venues.”

Applications must be submitted online with a detailed project plan, breakdown of costs, and evidence of match funding. Applicants must also include photographs or diagrams of the current venue and proposed improvements.

The deadline for applications is Friday 31 January 2025, with shortlisting of applications by a panel of representatives from Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency due to take place on Tuesday 4 February 2025.

Applications will be assessed on a first come, first served basis and all successful applicants must ensure going forward that they have the relevant planning permission, advertising consent or building regulations consent for their project.

Successful applicants will be informed within two weeks of the application deadline.

For more information and to submit your application, please contact:

Andrew Bradwell, Rochdale Visitor Attraction and Venues Improvement Grant Scheme Co-ordinator, Andrew.Bradwell@Rochdale.Gov.UK or on 01706 925605.