£3m Advertising Fund for Small Firms Hit by COVID-19 Downturn

£3m Advertising Fund for Small Firms Hit by COVID-19 Downturn

A free advertising fund is providing support to small businesses in the UK that are battling for survival due to the impacts coronavirus is having on trading.

The Small Business Advertising Support Fund is a £3 million initiative which aims to provide free print and online advertising for small businesses struggling in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Fund, administered by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), gives access to tailored print advertising in the Daily Mail, the Mail on Sunday, Metro and i-newspaper. Web-based ads will also run across MailOnline and Metro.co.uk, offering further support to the advertising campaign. This opportunity will enable business to showcase their products and services to millions of consumers who engage with these titles every day.

Businesses will be given a tailored advertising package worth £3,000 each by Associated Newspapers, to use across the news group’s print and online titles. Successful applicants will be matched up to a dedicated local account manager from Mail Metro Media for full support.

UK companies with 150 employees or fewer and an annual turnover (revenue) that does not exceed £6 million may apply. The applicant must be in a position to redeem the £3,000 advertising fund before 30 September 2020.

FSB National Chair Mike Cherry said:

‘The COVID-19 pandemic is going to have an impact on businesses for months, if not years, to come, and they now face a difficult future as they try to navigate through these challenging, unprecedented times.

‘They will now need to think outside the box to attract new customers and take on a more proactive approach when it comes to marketing products and services. However, there can be a cost associated with this, leaving many small businesses with nowhere to turn.

‘That’s why we’re grateful to see Mail Metro Media coming up with such an important, free initiative.’

Applications are invited from Wednesday 13 May 2020. The funder is expecting this scheme to be very popular, so interested parties are advised to apply promptly.

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.