Sales uplift for Brickell’s Ice Cream from rural prosperity fund

The government’s rural England prosperity fund (REPF) provides grants to small businesses and organisations in rural parts of the UK, which can be spent on developing new products or improving infrastructure.

Brickell’s Ice Cream, which is based between Bruton and Shepton Mallet, was among the Somerset businesses to benefit from the first round of funding, with the grant being used to increase its production and expand its market.

Somerset Council (which distributes the funding on the government’s behalf) has now invited businesses and organisations to bid for a share of £2.5m within the second round of funding, with individual grants of between £5,000 and £100,000  being awarded.

REPF funding can be used to support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy.

This includes farm businesses looking to diversify income streams, but not into food and drink.

It can also be used to support new and improved community infrastructure, providing community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy.

To be eligible, the business or organisation in question must be based within a settlement with a town, village or hamlet with a population of under 10,000 people, or within a ‘hub town’ with a population of up to 30,000 (meaning Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil are all ineligible).

Brickell’s Ice Cream owner and founder Robert Gore said: “The rural England prosperity fund has been a huge boost in enabling us to increase our production and supporting infrastructure, allowing us to continue to grow and expand.

“The match funding meant we were able to sign up with a national distributor, confident that we could meet the demand.

“We have already seen a significant uplift as a result and we have a lot more coming as our season starts.”

A range of Somerset businesses have benefited from the first round of funding, with grants being spent on bottling equipment at a cider manufacturer, expanding premises to maintain electric vehicles and providing specialist equipment at a new vet’s practice.

How a new skate park in Stoke-sub-Hamdon could look. (Image: Maverick Industries)

Among the community projects which have benefited from the funding are the Stoke-sub-Hamdon Sports and Recreation Trust, with a grant being secured for a new skateboard facility in the village.

Trust representative John Allan said: “We are very grateful for the invaluable support our project got from the REPF.

“What this support means is that a long-standing project to provide a comprehensive sports and recreation facility in the village can now be completed.

“The benefits bring improvements in well-being for the community but also people using those facilities can make use of the community shop.

“Without the funding support and advice of REPF, this project would be struggling to move forwards.

“Somerset Council were very supportive to the Trust in getting forms completed and the work was worth it as we received very generous grant support from the REPF.”

Companies and organisations can bid for grants of between £5,000 and £100,000, provided they meet the objectives of the programme and can provide match funding.

Any grants awarded through the council must be spent in their entirety by the end of March 2025.

Councillor Ros Wyke, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said: “This is a really positive announcement for rural businesses and communities across Somerset.

“It’s important to note that this is funding secured by Somerset Council from the government and cannot be allocated anywhere else

“Rural areas often face specific challenges and this fund enables important investment to support rural development and prosperity.

“Capital grants are available to support investment in business start-up, innovation and growth as well as community infrastructure.

“Following the breadth of projects already funded I would urge businesses to find out if they are eligible as soon as possible.”

To check whether you are eligible to apply for a grant, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/business-economy-and-licences/funding-and-grants-for-business or email REPF@somerset.gov.uk.