Equine Business
The equine industry is vastly important to the sub region with support and assistance required at different levels of intervention.
Actions: Encourage an accreditation system for facilities within Merseyside, a formal body to lobby for access routes and connectivity to existing leisure facilities, networking opportunities and access to funding for facility improvement. The project will work closely with the BHS (British Horse Society) and volunteers in developing their objectives.
Beneficiaries: Equine industry in Merseyside and people who use the facilities for sport and recreation.
Development opportunities
| Quality standard | |
| Evidence: Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales (British Horse Society, Approved Riding Establishment) | SWOT: Large equine industry. |
| Standardisation on business rates and VAT | |
| Evidence: Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales | |
| Facility improvement | |
| Evidence: British Horse Society, Approved Riding Establishment | SWOT: Limited promotion of rural Merseyside as a location for business, existing and popular recreation sites in rural areas. |
| Promotion | |
| Evidence: Equine industry diagram (Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales) | SWOT: Limited promotion of rural Mersey as a location for business,existing and popular recreation sites in rural areas. |
| Bridleways | |
| Evidence: Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Merseyside 2008-2018 Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales | SWOT:Rural Merseyside is not taking full advantage of the high quality agricultural land to maximise farm incomes and so is losing out on its “Productive Landscape” (CIAT), large equine industry, increasing focus on green infrastructure. |
| Offroad riding | |
| Evidence: Bridleway Feasibility Study for St.Helens and Halton 2004 Strategy for the Horse Industry in England and Wales | SWOT: Close proximity between town and country – opportunity to increase levels of urban / rural engagement, increasing focus on green infrastructure |
Proposed intervention
No large grants for equine individuals or businesses. This is based on the poor economic return equine has historically shown.
Intervention for the equine grant is 40% to a maximum of £5K. The minimum grant level is £2k for a £5k project, Eligible expenditure is an invoice supported by a cheque of bank transfer with evidence of defrayment from a bank statement. CASH PAYMENTS are ineligible items of expenditure.
Improvement to the quality, safety and access will all be considered that do not have direct economic return.
Funding is only available to trading enteritis (sole traders, partnerships, Limited companies, social enterprises, charities and cooperatives). Have a maximum staff level of 10 full time equivalent employees, have less than €2million of turnover or €2million on the balance sheet.
Only one form needs to be completed for this grant and needs supporting by three quotes for the work to be carried out, any relevant legal requirements including planning permission and proof of match funding.
Contact for further information
Help@merseyruralleader.org.uk
Tel 01514432297
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