Funding boost for 1066 Country businesses

East Sussex County Council has allocated the extra cash to help new companies set up or existing firms to expand over the next three years.

Since May 2013, the council said it has already supported 210 business and hopes the extra funding will fuel a further boost to the county’s economy.

Figures for 2015 from the Office for National Statistics show the economy in East Sussex grew by 5.2 per cent, compared to a national average of 2.9 per cent, with 2,790 new businesses starting up.

Councillor Rupert Simmons, county council lead member for economy, said: “We’ve had some really encouraging news on economic growth in the county recently, but it’s important that we don’t rest on our laurels. This additional funding will help more new businesses to start up or existing businesses to develop, creating new jobs for people and helping our economy continue to grow.”

Businesses which have benefited from county council funding since 2015 include St Leonards-based burger restaurant Half Man! Half Burger!, which has opened a second outlet in Eastbourne and Universal Transaction Processing Ltd, which sells credit card machines, launch in Hastings and create 24 jobs.

People interested in applying for funding to set up a new business or help an existing business can emailing [email protected], call 01273 481476 visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/business/developing/finance/grants.

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