The Growth Hub is releasing a new grant scheme to support Gloucestershire businesses that have been affected by the Covid pandemic.

The cash injection is designed to help them get back on their feet through digital means. Applications open at 10am on Thursday 1st July.

The Covid Digital Recovery Grant is grants of £3,000 to Gloucestershire businesses. It is available to support digital recovery projects and applications will be open to eligible Gloucestershire SMEs which were trading pre-Covid and have been adversely affected by the pandemic.

Whether it's a new or improved website, the launch of an online campaign or an improvement of products and processes through digital, businesses can apply for up to £3,000 towards the cost of their project, with no obligation to contribute financially, and no requirement to pay it back.

Alex Cottrell, Growth Hub manager, said: "We know that for all of the pivoting, training, and upskilling, there are some holes that only cash can fill. And many of the best examples of innovation and growth we've seen have come through digital activities. That's why we've released these funds. £3,000 will go a long way in the digital world and has the potential to have a much greater impact on business recovery than other spending. We encourage any local business, which was trading before Covid and has been affected, to apply."

Where possible, The Growth Hub is encouraging grant recipients to spend locally, to drive an economic recovery within the county, as well as within their own businesses.

The grants must be spent on new projects, rather than reimbursing the cost of previous projects, and invoices must be paid up front by the business and then reclaimed from The Growth Hub.

Competition is expected to be extremely high for the grants. Businesses are advised to apply as early as possible when the portal opens at 10am on 1st July.

To apply, visit www.thegrowthhub.biz/digitalgrants.