Businesses benefit from council grants that have seen them prosper

Harborough District Council used Government Covid business support funding to award Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) that helped to put local businesses in a stronger position to fight the economic downturn and act as a catalyst to boost recovery and growth.

One innovative company to have received a boost from ARG funding is Green Tomato, an environmentally friendly, mobile greengrocers that helps people drastically reduce their carbon footprint and plastic use.

Nisha Ravat, founder and director of Green Tomato, said: “We do this by reducing trips to the supermarket, reducing the use of plastics and reducing food waste as we have no minimum order – customers only buy what they need.

“We offer high quality, fresh fruit and vegetables for customers to fill their bags and baskets at the kerbside, using our reconditioned electric milk float. By doing this, we help to reduce carbon emissions by 1.2 tonnes every year!

“Harborough District Council has been very supportive not just by offering grant funding to help with set-up costs but advice and support through their network of business advisors.

“Green Tomato received ARG funding to help with connecting electricity supply to my base in Market Harborough. This helped enormously as there was no electricity supply and we needed this to recharge the batteries for our electric vehicle.

“We have a solar panel already that generates enough electricity to power the lights and we plan to increase the number of PV panels to help with our electric vehicle recharges in the future.”

Lutterworth Town Bowling Club has also benefitted from ARG funding.

Tony Hill, secretary, fixture secretary and captain at the club, said: “We used this money to replace old lighting in our two buildings with LED lights.

“We also received a Business Survival Grant from the council that has helped reduce the deficit we incurred due to the Covid reductions.”

Other businesses that have received ARG funding include Kibworth Books; Leicestershire Craft Centre; Launde Abbey Trust; Emerson and Wests Deli, Bakery & Restaurant; Northants Computers; Brookside Carpets and Curtains Limited and Nenette Chocolates.

Cllr Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, said: “It is great to hear how these grants make a difference. It’s also very important that we continue to support businesses and residents to deliver a prosperous local economy.”

These grants were distributed in 2021/22 and are no longer available.