MORE funding to help pubs across the region survive the challenging economic cliamte has been announced by the East of England Development Agency. Following the success of Business Link's “Open for Business” pub support campaign in March, EEDA has announced a new round of funding to help a further 100 pubs.

MORE funding to help pubs across the region survive the challenging economic cliamte has been announced by the East of England Development Agency.

Following the success of Business Link's “Open for Business” pub support campaign in March, EEDA has announced a new round of funding to help a further 100 pubs.

Accessible once again through Business Link, in conjunction with a business review from the support service's advisers, any rural pub in the region can apply for a grant of up to �1,500 to use towards business development and capital expenditure costs.

Edwin Jones, Business Link rural affairs partnership director, said: “It has been a tough time for pubs with many being forced to call last orders for good. This new funding will help us to support even more pubs, helping them to survive and stay 'Open for Business' for years to come.

“Business Link Advisers will work with publicans to look at what is going well and what could be done differently to improve their business. The grant money can then be used to address some of the issues identified either for capital expenditure; for example to buy items such as new furniture, lighting or signage, or for business development activities like staff training, marketing or developing a website.

“In other words, it's for whatever publicans need to help their business succeed through the current economic climate and beyond.”

Among the pubs which received help under the original programme was the Moon and Mushroom at Swilland, near Ipswich, which used its grant to hire a specialist on-trade marketing consultant who completed a comprehensive review of the business.

Nikki Gavin who runs “The consultant looked at how we position The Moon and Mushroom, our strengths and weaknesses, the pub's competition in the local area, our signage, menus and other marketing materials, as well as the website,” said Nikki Gavin who runs the pub.

“I received a detailed report with recommendations, which included some quick fixes that had immediate impact.”

A total of 100 grants are available under the new funding between now and the end of January 2010, on a first come first served basis. For details on eligibility call Business Link on 08457 17 16 15.