Restaurant grant programme returns for third year

Small independent restaurants in London and Manchester can now apply for a share of £220,000 to help grow their business as an American Express-supported (AmEx) grant programme returns to the UK for a third year. 

Run by the International Downtown Association Foundation in partnership with the Association of Town and City Management, the global Backing Independent Small Restaurants programme has expanded into nine major cities across five countries in 2024, now including Sydney, Melbourne, Toronto, Montreal, Tokyo, Osaka and Mexico City, on top of London and Manchester. 

Investing in the North

This year, the UK programme ventures into Manchester, a city well known for its vibrant restaurant scene. A total of 20 eligible restaurants with community significance across both cities will each receive a grant of £11,000 to enhance their operations and improve the guest experience in the months ahead. 

The grant comes at a time when hospitality operators face a challenging market and rising costs. According to research by AmEx, in the UK, one-third (33%) of hospitality businesses plan to invest in their premises over the next 12 months. The top factors driving this investment are the desire to win new customers (43%) and improve the customer experience (36%).

Restaurant owners in London and Manchester can learn more about the programme and apply for the grant at downtown.org/foundation. The deadline for applications is 30 May. 

You may also be interested in…