Rural businesses in Leicestershire including shops and post offices can apply for new grants of between £750 and £5,000 and benefit from free, expert business advice through the new Vibrant Villages programme which has been set up to support and enhance vital community facilities. Vibrant Villages will also support existing facilities such as community halls to become multi-purpose venues incorporating, for instance, a meeting space, youth facility, crèche, training venue or drop in service offering health or citizens’ advice. Lesley Pendleton, Chairman of the LRP, said: “We all know how important local village shops, post offices and community facilities are to the well-being of our rural communities. The Vibrant Villages programme will ensure the sustainability of these essential services by encouraging businesses to improve and enhance their services.”
 
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12 October 2008
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