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Grants For information on grants available in your area, contact your local Business Link. Details as follows: Business Link York & North Yorkshire: www.here4business.co.uk The Business Link network provides a wide range of business advice information particularly relevant to small and medium sized businesses. YTB fully supports the region's Business Links and businesses are urged to take advantage of all of the help, advice and support they can provide. Success stories Parish post office offers tourists a place to stay! A parish post office re-opened by Bradfield Parish Council has branched out into the tourist industry providing visitors to the village with self-catering accommodation with support from Business Link South Yorkshire's Rural Business Growth Programme, part funded by the European Union and Defra.
More recently the derelict barn building at the rear of the post office has been converted into a self-catering cottage for people wanting to come and stop over and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Peak District. The self-catering cottage provides high quality accommodation and sleeps 5 to 6 people. The building looks straight onto amazing views that can be enjoyed from the living room window. "We are in such a great position here with some great countryside and walking trails right on our doorstep," said Shaz Thompson, who manages The Post Card Café. "Converting the old barn was a great opportunity for the business and there is now an opportunity to bring in more tourists to the area." Shaz approached Business Link South Yorkshire and was assigned a business advisor to help her build a business plan, apply for grant funding and market the project. "Rural post offices are key to the local community but they need to be proactive to secure their future," commented Lawrence Wilson, Business Advisor at Yorkshire Tourist Board working in association with Business Link South Yorkshire. "Shaz's plans for self catering cottage mean that her business will continue to grow but also that the local community will also benefit from the tourism it will help to bring in." Potential visitors to the area include walkers, birdwatchers and anglers. The cottage can easily accommodate a family or couples and is ideal for anyone wanting to enjoy the countryside for the weekend. Local farmer opens the stable doors for Yorkshire Day!
The farm, located in Hatfield Woodhouse, will be providing a free 'park and ride' service for horse riders and access to different riding routes along the farm and around adjacent moorland. Families will be able to enjoy tractor rides and picnics on farm ground and have the opportunity to watch demonstrations and learn more about farming in Yorkshire. "Yorkshire Day is a day to celebrate all the great things in our region including farming," said David Chappell, who runs Boston Park Farm along with members of his family. "We are surrounded by amazing scenery and there are lots of trails that are ideal for walking and riding and should be enjoyed by everyone." Business Link South Yorkshire has been working closely with the farm business and has recently assisted in the conversion of redundant agricultural buildings into a new livery operation. They also assisted in the development of the Boston Parks Maize Maze, a series of mazes on the farm, which will also be open to the public. "Farming is a key part of our Yorkshire heritage and should be recognised and celebrated on Yorkshire Day," commented Patrick Thornton, Rural Business Advisor at Business Link South Yorkshire. "The Chappells recognise the benefits of opening the farm gates to the public as it offers both the opportunity to promote their diversification projects and show off the benefits that farmers give to the environment in South Yorkshire." To find out more about what is happening at Boston Park Farm contact David Chappell or Mandy Vernon on 01302 840098 Cash for Green Businesses Businesses in Objective 2 areas of North Yorkshire have a chance to get hold of 2 grants to help them become more environmentally friendly. The first grant is a lump sum of up to £1,500, available as match funding for companies to put in place measures that will reduce their environmental impact. The grant can be used to install replacement boilers, install or improve insulation levels, install low energy lighting, etc - basically any technology that has a positive impact on environmental performance. The aim is for each business to achieve a 10% improvement in their chosen area. The second grant is a lump sum of up to £4,000, available as match funding, for businesses to install renewable energy technologies that will reduce their environmental impact. This grant can be used to install solar hot water heating systems, biomass boilers, air source heat pump's, ground source heat pump's, wind turbines etc. The grants offer businesses the opportunity to not only improve their environmental performance, but also reduce their running costs and receive financial assistance to help implement this. To see if you are eligible for the grant, or want to discuss the grant project further, please contact Therese Hamill at the Business Environmental Forum on 01904 554541. Or via email: bef@4sustainable-energy.co.uk. 20 George Hudson St, York, Y01 6WR. Visit www.here4greenbusiness.co.uk for further information. |
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The Post Card Café re-opened in 2003 and has since become an integral part of the local community. As well as providing a post office there is also a local shop and a café serving a delicious selection of homemade cakes to local residents and visitors. 
Boston Park Farm, based in Doncaster, will be celebrating Yorkshire Day this year by inviting local horse riders and the public to come and enjoy the surrounding countryside and get involved in local festivities with support from Business Link South Yorkshire.
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