A luxury hotel in Gloucestershire has received financial backing from the Government, as it seeks to support the local community and Stroud Valley as a great place to work, live and visit – and help to rebalance the outward migration of young people from the area.
Stonehouse Court has received a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), an Investment Funds Growth programme targeted to create jobs and support local growth in the community.
Established by the European Union, ERDF helps to support Gloucestershire innovation, businesses and local community regenerations through a locally funded programme known as ‘Scale Up 4 Growth’.
The programme is open to businesses in any sector with ambitious growth plans. Applicants may be small or medium-sized enterprises and based in the Gloucestershire LEP Region, which includes Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Forest of Dean, Stroud, and the wider Cotswolds.
Grants of £10,000 to £40,000 are available to help address the challenges that Gloucestershire businesses face when growing and scaling up their operations, with the grants covering 35% of business costs.
Stonehouse Court was one of 40 applicants to be awarded funds from the Scale Up 4 Growth programme, with an investment of £24,000 made available.
The funding has enabled the 36-bedroom, 17th century Manor House hotel to commence the next stage of its development plans for its 10-bedroom eco extension alongside enhancement of catering infrastructure and post-Covid outside dining space.
Maz Jurko, General Manager at Stonehouse Court, said: “We’re delighted to see the Government back us under the Scale Up 4 Growth programme, as it serves to underline how important it is to support local businesses and help rebalance the outward migration of young people from the area.”
He continued: “We’re now one step closer to making Stonehouse Court more accessible to all who need it and we are enormously excited at the prospect of expanding our incredible team while creating more opportunities for the people of the Stroud Valley community.”