More than 130 people turned out for a special event to hear how businesses and community groups across Tendring can benefit from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Tendring District Council (TDC) has been awarded £563,028 from the Government fund for 2025/6.

£345,000 of this will be made available through an open call for applications to fund locally-led projects aimed at enhancing communities, supporting businesses, and improving skills and employability across the district. Further funding will be made available through targeted schemes.

To support local businesses and community organisations in understanding and applying for the funding opportunities, TDC hosted a special event at Clacton’s Princes Theatre, on Wednesday, 12 March.

The event provided information on the open calls and grants available, including ‘Shopfront Improvement’ grants, ‘Extend the Season’ event grants and ‘Widening participation in Sport’ grants, and was followed by a networking session.

Ivan Henderson, TDC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: "It was great to see so many people turn out for this special event and I hope to see many of them apply for grants as part of the UKSPF funding.

“Over the past three years, TDC has helped to deliver £1.18million of UKSPF funding, predominantly as grants to local businesses and community groups – and I would like to urge people to come forward with their ideas for projects that will have positive impacts on our communities.

“These projects can drive economic growth in our district and improve the quality of life for our residents, so I’m looking forward to seeing what exciting projects come forward.”

All grants as part of the fund must be spent and projects completed by 31 March, 2026, with money being allocated across three key themes - Communities and Place, Supporting Local Business, and People and Skills.

TDC will be accepting applications for the fourth year of UKSPF, as well as for Shopfront Improvement grants and Extend the Season grants, from Monday, 7 April, until Sunday, 1 June, using forms available on the council’s website.

Applications will not be assessed formally until the process has closed to keep the process competitive.

Those who are ineligible or have not submitted all required information will be notified before the closing date to allow for amendments.

It is expected that application will be accepted for the ‘Widening participation in Sport’ grants at the end of May.

For more information on the UKSPF, please visit the TDC website at https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/content/ukspf.

TDC is also expecting an allocation of funding from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), which supports rural businesses and communities.

Businesses and groups are advised to sign up to the Tendring4Growth E-bulletin for further information about the REPF, once details are available.

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