Newark and Sherwood District Council has launched a £25,000 High Street Diversification Fund to support local, independent high-street based retail/hospitality businesses with a grant of £250 towards investment in e-commerce.

If awarded to a qualifying business, the money (which should be match-funded) can be used for:

Creating a new website
Developing an existing website
Creating a transactional capability
Initiating a Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) site check-up
Integrating social media channels onto the business website
Training to either create a DIY website or improve skills and knowledge.
To qualify, a business must trade within the Newark and Sherwood District Council boundary and be an independently owned, high-street retail or hospitality business.

In the retail sector, research suggests that 27.5% of total retail sales this year will be made online, with that figure reaching a third of sales by 2024.

The grant being offered by the council will give businesses the chance to develop their existing offering for customers to browse, buy and return products, and connect and communicate with its brand online – blending e-commerce, mobile commerce and social media channels, alongside a physical store experience.

Applications will be open for two weeks and will be based on a first come, first served basis. Successful applicants will receive a grant reference number. Businesses will be responsible for ensuring the work will be undertaken and this must be completed by 31 December, 2020. Following completion of the work, to receive the £250 grant, copies of all invoices must be sent to Newark and Sherwood District Council quoting the grant reference number provided.

Coun David Lloyd, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We want to help our local and independent business community thrive, especially during this difficult time, and having an effective online presence can help a business reach and service its customers in a number of ways.

“This grant is only open for two weeks and is on a first come, first serve basis so I encourage all eligible business owners to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of this scheme and help improve or kick start their e-commerce offering.”

Applications should be made on the Newark and Sherwood District Council website, using the online form https://selfservice.newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk/renderform.aspx?t=253&k=1EF293B9D2B2EFFFC486E91712B99CD6245C22F4.

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