Businesses in Kendal are set for a boost after the announcement of two new types of grants available.

Kendal Business Improvement District (BID) is offering the subsidies as an initiative to boost the local economy in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

The first offers grants of up to £300 to help fund training staff to learn new skills.

Denise Thompson, one of the BID's directors, said any business within the BID's area could apply for a training and development grant, which could also cover the costs of any travelling needed to carry out the training: "The main criterion is that the training will improve the business.

The Westmorland Gazette: BID: Denise Thompson, one of the directors of Kendal BIDBID: Denise Thompson, one of the directors of Kendal BID

"For example, a beauty salon might use it to pay for a junior beauty therapist to go on a shellac course, or a business could perhaps pay for a member of staff to do some spreadsheet or social media training.

"If staff learn new skills the business might be able to offer a new service which will improve its financial position."

The second scheme offers shop front grants worth up to £500 each to help businesses decorate or generally improve their frontages.

This is being run in conjunction with South Lakeland District Council, which will match the £500 sum.

Denise said: "If a frontage looks in need of improvement people will walk past.

"But if it looks fresh and has ‘kerb appeal’, that will encourage people to come inside and spend money."

Kendal BID chair Josh Macaulay said: "It is really important to get money back into our local businesses after such a tough couple of years and we think the training and development grant initiative is a fantastic way to help upskill the teams within those businesses to help make sure they are viable for the future."

Application forms for both schemes can be downloaded on the Kendal BID website kendalbid.co.uk

Once completed they can be emailed to the BID or taken by hand to the offices of Westmorland Homecare.

Late last year Kendal BID funded the dscvr Kendal app, which highlights shops, food and drink establishments, businesses, attractions and varied things to do in the town.