£1million to help pubs, restaurants and venues in Hartlepool and its neighbours open safely over the summer

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has outlined the plans which will make up a year-long programme of support and begin with a £250,000 ‘welcome back fund’.

Grants of up to £1,500 are being made available for hospitality and tourism firms to pay for safety measures such as screens, cleaning stations and floor markings.

The project is designed to help small and medium sized firms safely accommodate customers after lockdown over the next 12 months

The move comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this week pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers can reopen from July 4, and social distancing measures will be eased.

Officials say hospitality businesses such as pubs, restaurants, museums, leisure venues and hotels are worth £1bn to the region’s economy but that 98% of them still need funding support to survive.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said it is vital everyone gets behind such businesses, adding he has made them a priority.

The Conservative mayor said: “In less than two weeks our pubs, restaurants, venues and hotels will be open again and, unless we all get behind them, workers and businesses face an uncertain future.

“That’s why I’ve made them a priority in my plan for the economic recovery of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, and backed them with the Welcome Back Fund.

“Many of the small independent businesses that bring so much joy to local people and bring in tourists have been able to take advantage of Government support to see them through the last few months, however this alone won’t help them to grow and create jobs in the face of so many new challenges.”

Coun Shane Moore, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and cabinet member for culture and tourism at Tees Valley Combined Authority, also praised the importance of such businesses to the area.

He said: “Small local businesses are the backbone of our economy in Hartlepool and the wider Tees Valley area, and the pubs, cafes and restaurants we all love have only got a few days to get ready to welcome back their customers, and to do so safely.

“Jobs are at stake and we’re taking action to protect them.”

The rest of the £1million investment package will be used to bring more visitors to Tees Valley, and to help firms in the tourism, leisure and culture industries cater for them and adapt to the new realities of doing business.

Mr Houchen added the region has also made ‘great strides’ in recent years by attracting people to the region with big ticket events.

He said: “Of course, events like the postponed Killers and Tom Jones gigs are still going ahead next year, along with Rugby League World Cup 2021 so we have a lot to look forward to, and to offer local people, day visitors and tourists.”

Businesses can register their interest in applying for a grant at teesvalleybusiness.com/welcome-back-fund/

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